Why a Dome?
The question begs another. Why not? Think of the world, the arc of the sun and the moon, the shape of an egg. A bird's nest. There is structure to things round. They make sense.
A geodesic dome is about structure. Sensible structure. It is at once very simple and very complex. The spaces that are defined under the dome shape become unique and quite elegant. When that dome shape is pierced by skylights the sun pours in and the shape becomes light and bright and even more exciting.
This dome has a separate small "building" within the dome space that contains a bath, the kitchen, closets, stairs, etc., with a loft over it. This small building within a building defines the spaces around it into basic functional uses; sleeping, dressing, dining, living, office. See floor plans.
Sure it is different. Sensibly different.
Have we ever been sorry about building this something different dome? Not at all. The ceilings soar. The light streams in. The spaces are uplifting. It is very hard to be gloomy in this house. It is a wonderful place to live.
And it has changed over the years. Improved, we think. Ron loves to cook so the kitchen has all of the best appliances. There is the water purification system, the built-in chests in the dressing area, the desk in the study area, the double face bookshelves that line the stairs. The laundry is now in a most convenient closet right next to the dressing area. And so much more has been done.
Now there is the new guest house and studio. It can be an office, or an in-law apartment, or just for guests. It can be an artist's studio with huge north facing windows to let in the right kind of light. It has a deck that juts into the woods and looks down a long slope to a deer trail.
But with all of the additions and changes the basic dome has remained the same.
We know this house is not for everyone. It takes special people to live in this open and free specialness. If you are one of these people we do hope you will have as much fun living here as we have.
Ron and Barb Nelson