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Rain Gutters and the Monolithic Dome

Rain gutters are a problem for every type and style of building. They have they own unique problems in the Monolithic domes. Monolithic domes are round. Rain gutters are generally linear. Monolithic has had to come up with a rain gutter. This one works very well in the southern part of the United States. We think it will work in the northern part but we are not as sure where heavy snow is involved.

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Michael McCoy Architects, Inc.

After more than twenty years of experience and with the completion of 100+ projects under his professional belt, Oklahoma-based Architect Michael McCoy encountered the Monolithic Dome.

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Radius of Curvature

Curved concrete is by far stronger than flat concrete. The egg is one of nature's strongest objects. Dome buildings share that attribute. The Radius of Curvature is a number that is used to determine the “flatness” of a dome.

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The Castle Wall: Monolithic's New Way to Build Stemwalls

Monolithic's newest method of building stemwalls uses split-face, concrete blocks that generally measure 8" x 8" x 16" and come in various attractive colors.

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Electric Tankless Water Heaters in a Monolithic Dome

Eemax

 

Can a tankless water heater be used in a Monolithic Dome?

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Three Easy Ways To Keep Your Home Comfortable


New Book, Available Now!

Wilson's Book

Practical Design of Concrete Shells by Dr. Arnold Wilson is written specifically as a manual for thin shell engineers and as a textbook for civil engineering students interested in thin shells. Written by an engineer for engineers, this text contains tested formulas and technical documentation as well as illustrations and photographs.

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Exterior Coating Options: MDI experiments can save you time and money

The Monolithic Dome Institute is located on 24 acres in Italy, Texas. We use our property as a research park. We experiment with construction techniques, equipment, Airform coatings and more. This photo journal demonstrates various coatings on domes at Monolithic headquarters. We have had both success and failure.

Hung Ceilings in Monolithic Domes

In a number of our Monolithic Domes we have used a standard hung ceiling that can be purchased from a variety of manufacturers. A hung ceiling features many benefits for Monolithic Domes. It provides storage for placement of air conditioning, heating ducts, electrical and wires. It's easily accessible and yet stored items are not visible from below. A hung ceiling can also help with sound absorption.

In-floor Heat Warms Domes "Radiantly"

Risky Business: Hiring an Architect

Unless you know the pitfalls, choosing an architect can be a risky business.

Up and Down in the Round

Can a Monolithic Dome home have a loft? A stairway? An elevator? A basement? My answer is an emphatic yes to each, followed by an equally emphatic reservation: Carefully analyze your need and/or desire for any of these features and consider the alternatives.

We Know Domes - Hire Monolithic Today

Monolithic Gets the Job Done. If you need a Monolithic Dome with all of its benefits - contract with Monolithic to get the job done. We have the experience and expertise to help you meet your commercial or residential building needs, on-time and within budget.

The Digital Thermostat

Vapor Drive -- Water vapor is becoming more of a problem as we more tightly seal our houses.

LPDJ Architects, LLC: A World Class Firm

If there were a list of the top ten architects in the world today, Leland A. Gray and Jesse M. Harris would near the top.

Airform Dynamics

Complex Monolithic Dome designs push Airform technology to the limit. Airforms are very strong and function well, but in some cases, aesthetics present a problem.

Residential Online Evaluator

This Online Evaluator is a tool to provide you with size and cost estimates for Monolithic Dome Homes.

Will Lightning Affect a Dome?

LPDJ Architects, LLC Use Holistic Approach

Leland A. Gray and Jesse M. Harris, co-owners of LPDJ Architects, LLC in Salt Lake City, Utah, believe that a holistic approach used in the design of Monolithic Domes and other concrete thin shell structures is the only way to go.

Monolithic Dome Home Heating/ AC/ Ventilating

Domes and Uses - A Collection of Monolithic Dome Structures and Their Uses

Now available is an updated edition of the popular book, Domes and Uses - A Collection of Monolithic Dome Structures and Their Many Uses.

The Sound of Quality in Monolithic Domes

floor plans

Porter Falcon, owner and president of Falcon Audio-Video headquartered in Oklahoma City, OK, describes domes as "speakers or sounding boards." He should know. Porter has 36 years of experience in the audio industry and has been researching and designing audio and acoustics systems for domes since the early 1980s.

Monolithic Introduces New, Monolithic Airplane Hangar Door

Monolithic recently designed an airplane hangar door, tailored for Monolithic Dome Hangars, that is not only stronger and safer than currently available, conventional doors but also affordable. We expect the new door (patent pending) to significantly enhance an aircraft's safety while it's housed in a Monolithic Dome Hangar.

Passive Solar Handbook

The Pantheon


California Energy Commission, 1.4 Optimal Use of Mass and Insulation

Metal Cladding For Domes: The Why And The How

The Pantheon

Why would someone want to cover a Monolithic Dome with metal cladding? David South, Monolithic's president, says "Metal cladding is an arrow in the quiver -- a problem solver -- that's especially useful when things get really nasty."

Foam As A Fire Barrier

The Pantheon

Urethane foam is an excellent fire barrier when used on the exterior of a building. There are numerous examples of urethane foam roofs saving a building from fire. Burning brands, that can include anything from hot embers to large pieces of burning wood, can lay on a urethane roof for a considerable time before burning through.

Ceramic Coating-- Insulation or Reflective Surface?

This past summer (2001) we tried [an] experiment. Our test consisted of two Ecoshells, both 10' in diameter, sitting side by side. Each was washed and cleaned. Then, one was painted with a good grade of white exterior coating. The other, we turned over to the applicator for a two-coat system of ceramic coating. Full Story

What the Customer REALLY Wants

At each stage of a major project a variety of people with different specialties are involved. Each seperate ego can add an element to the finished product that wasn't intended to be there. Communication problems, vague instructions or budget problems can also interfere with what the customer WANTED compared to what the customer GETS.

Exterior Design 101

Architectural Renderings

Some things to consider when planning a Monolithic Dome: What do you want the exterior to look like? What style do you like and really want? How much time can you allot to maintaining the exterior? How much money do you want to invest in plants or other exterior elements?

Monolithic Dome Home Heating, Cooling and Ventilation

Heating and Cooling Systems


Determining the size of heating and cooling systems for Monolithic Domes offers some really special challenges.

Controlling Acoustics in a Monolithic Dome

Acoustics

Monolithic Domes are shaped perfectly to reflect all sound through their focal point ? their centers. This means we can capture the sound and absorb it at its center without covering all the other surfaces.

Understanding Seismic Zones

Seismic Zones Map

seismic zone map is based on a statistical compilation of the number and the magnitude of past earthquakes. Therefore, it is an indication of where the next earthquake is most likely to occur, how often and the magnitude.

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NEW! Practical Design of Concrete Shells A must-read textbook

NEW! Residential Construction Drawings!

1 BR
2 BR
3 BR
4 BR
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NEW! Design Ideas for the Monolithic Concrete Home by Architect, Frederick L. Crandall

NEW! Index of Larger Monolithic Dome Projects

NEW! Download Academic Thesis About Monolithic Domes

NEW! Download the "R Fairy Tale" in French! [PDF]

Preapplication for Residential Construction Loan!

The Road to a Home-- First Steps Toward Your Own Monolithic Dome Home.

Residential Dreams: A list of resources

MORE TECHNICAL ARTICLES!

To Bend or Not To Bend -- Cold Bending of Rebar

How To Determine HVAC Needs For A Monolithic Dome: An Engineer's Advice

How Clean Must Rebar Be? (pdf document from worldofconcrete.com)

Click Here to read an article from Concrete International about Concrete Outgassing.

Sprayed Polyurethane Foam Insulation

Ellipsoid & Sperical Dome Formulas

Dome Variations and Configurations-- These design concepts hae been approved as feasible and reasonable for our use.

Test Results Of Acoustics In Monolithic Dome Gyms Delight The Tester

Soil Bearing Conditions -- If you can put any other building on the soil, the Monolithic Dome will do fine.

Dome Calculations on Palm Handhelds
By David South Jr

Underground Air Piping
By David B. South

 


177 Dome Park Place - Italy, TX 76651
Tel (972)483-7423 - Fax (972)483-6662
| Press Room