Living for Tomorrow
by
David B. South
Reprint from the 1997 Summer Roundup
 David B. South, President of the Monolithic Dome Institute |
The major
portion of all property tax and a significant amount of other tax dollars
go to the education of our children. As they are our future, it is as
it should be. A significant cost of education is the construction and
the maintenance of the buildings. The use of Monolithic Domes for educational
structures reduces this cost and hence saves substantial tax dollars.
Energy consumption to heat and cool the Monolithic Domes is minimum of
50 percent less than conventional buildings. A recent comparison of building
costs by the State of Arizona shows conventional schools were 23 percent
more expensive to build. Maintenance costs are much less.
Total cost divided by the life span, is the real measure of building costs.
Conventional schools are designed for a life span of 30-50 years. Extended
life spans are achieved using extensive and expensive maintenance. Often
the buildings are in ruins by the time the bonds are paid. Monolithic
Dome buildings, on the other hand, have a life span measured in centuries.
With a minimum of maintenance they will be useful for many future generations.
Often schools serve as the hub of the community. During times of disaster
they become emergency shelters. A school building should be able to withstand
hurricane, earthquakes, or even tornadoes - the Monolithic Dome will survive
them all.
The energy savings of the Monolithic Dome verses the conventional building
are huge. If the savings are adjusted for inflation and invested in a
bond savings account, they will equal the cost of the building within
20-30 years. School districts can use savings to buy computers or give
the teachers a pay raise.
A modern Monolithic school also makes a statement to the students, teachers
and the communities. There is a new century ahead, and we should prepare
for it. It is time to use more efficient building procedures and move
away from the "throw away" society to the "permanent." The Roundup: Journal
of the Monolithic Dome Institute
This is our first issue of the new, improved, full color "Roundup" magazine.
We are excited about it. We have great plans for it. We hope it pleases
you, the reader.
"The Roundup" is the official journal of the Monolithic Dome Institute.
We hope you see the benefits of this magazine and support us with your
subscriptions. Your comments are always appreciated. And we do thank you
for your support.
In addition to the Roundup, the Monolithic Dome Institute will continue
to conduct training seminars, workshops, and provide basic information
for those getting started in the business. We also provide advanced information
for those who have projects underway. It is the mission of the Monolithic
Dome Institute to promote and inform. As we grow, the Monolithic Dome
Institute will provide advanced training and certification programs.
The Internet: a tool for our use Please visit our Internet web site
at: http://www.monolithic.com.
We will keep it fresh and useful. It will contain tips, news, features
and in depth construction information.
Petite
Housing: Oberon IV A Petite home at a reasonable price is a three
bedroom home with a den/guest room/4th bedroom. The master bedroom is
spacious with its own bath.
The
other bedrooms are compact. Each has a built in upper bunk bed with a
closest and desk underneath. The home can be built without the den. This
makes a larger great room.
The Oberon IV is 32 feet in diameter (804 square feet). It is affordable
by many who otherwise wind up in dumpy apartments or trailers. My estimate
for the completed building (totally contracted out) will be $35 to $45
thousand depending on level of finish, local costs, and number of units.
Add $5000 for a lot, $1500 for storage, and $1500 for a carport. Can you
imagine a nicer unit for a single mom with 2 or 3 children. The power
bill for this home will be less than half of any other comparable housing.
The point is there is a way to solve part of the housing crisis in the
U.S., especially in rural areas. It must be done by building small (Petite)
housing units that are attractive, permanent and affordable. They should
fit on small lots with small streets. There needs to be many parks and
green belts. Built as rental units the Oberon IV will bring a good return
to the landlord and be affordable for the tenant.
Next issue we will deal with multifamily housing, a partial answer for
the cities.
|