An EconOdome frame kit may be used to
build an earth sheltered home with ten sides.
The building may be partially buried or even
completely buried.
The photos below show just one possible earth bermed home design.
This two story 38.5 foot diameter home has about 2000 square feet of living space.
| This EconOdome building frame was modified to include vertical surfaces for doors and windows on five sides. EconOdome frame kits are normally custom modified on ten sides in our shop to include vertical surfaces for doors and conventional windows. We do your door, window, and skylight framing to save you time and money when you build your custom dome home. This is a split level earth sheltered dome home. From the front entry, just inside the front door, it is six steps down to the lower level and eight steps up to the upper level. The lower level has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a laundry room. The upper level has a living room, kitchen, 1/2 bath, office area, and a piano. |  |
| Steel and concrete reinforced cinderblock was used to create an extremely strong retaining wall on the lower portion of this home. The ten equal sided cinderblock wall is fairly easy to build without block laying experience. Earth was put back adjacent the cinderblock wall after the exterior of the cinderblock was waterproofed and perimeter drainage was installed. The perimeter drainage consisted of flexible perforated piping, gravel, and a thin layer of fiberglass batt insulation. The batt insulation, above the gravel and under the dirt fill, acted as a non-biodegradable filter to keep the dirt from washing thru the gravel and clogging the perforated drain pipe. |  |
| We covered and sealed the exterior surface working from the top to the bottom. When we were near the bottom, we installed and sealed "down pointing triangles" as this did not stop us from walking on horizontal struts/boards. Then we filled the areas between the "down pointing triangles" as we worked from the top to the bottom. We made sure that all seams were sealed with seam tape while we could still easily stand on the frame while we worked. |  |
| Earth was backfilled and leveled to within 6 inches below the level of the window sills and front door. A rear deck extends to a parking area that is on the same level as the living room on the second story within the dome. Canopies made with lumber and Hardipanel are built over all doors and conventional windows. Many canopy designs are possible. |  |
We can help you with custom plans and consultation.
Phone Toll Free
1-888-DOME-LUV
Office Hours 7am - 4pm, Monday thru Friday
