Bait and Switch-- What happened at Hector, Arkansas
by: David
B. South
July 20, 2001
The two new, concrete school buildings at Hector, Arkansas are concrete domes built on top of concrete walls. They are not Monolithic™ Domes. Consequently, they will not have the energy efficiency of Monolithic Domes, which is what the Hector School District thought they bought. Monolithic is a trademark for a specific, concrete/urethane composite shell with energy efficiencies that are far greater than what Hector purchased.
Bait and Switch is a tactic where you offer to sell an excellent product at a very good price. But then when the customer agrees to buy it, you say, "Oh, we are out of that," or "It was on sale for only one day," or "ta-da ta-da ta-da. But, do have this; it's just as good or better, etc." This can be done with schools as well as pots and pans. What bothers me the most about the Hector situation is that the chosen architect never allowed us to help him. He either did not believe what we did tell him or he chose to ignore it.
Hector could not have switched from the Monolithic Dome to an uninsulated, concrete structure built to look like a dome without the architect's approval. I know of a project where a school board directed an architect to design a metal school building (the vocational/agricultural shop). The architect tried to talk the board into a brick and mortar building. They refused, so he designed a very expensive metal building with high-priced, nonstandard bay spacing, off-size beams and other high-dollar stuff that was not needed. Then he told the board, "See, I said it would be expensive." The board, which included no builders, never knew they had been had. But, I am not accusing Hector's architect of chicanery. I'm saying there was definitely a communication gap.
The dome they have under construction is to be coated with a ceramic coating. It is good stuff for reflecting sunshine, but none of the manufacturers I have dealt with consider it a total replacement for thermal insulation. And if Hector insulates above the classrooms and below the domes, that will be like attic insulation in a conventional home. Done this way, the "thermal battery" effect of the dome is totally ignored and its benefit is lost.
In any case, those wishing to have the wonderful benefits of a Monolithic Dome must insist on getting them. Bait and Switch is a commonly used tactic, and many are not afraid to use it if they think the customer can be duped. In selecting an architect or builder, check references first.
Click Here to read an article about what they had originally purchased.
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