The Dome
This excellent picture shows our Ecoshells in New Ngelepen at every single stage in development. From left; the two domes are complete and concrete is set. The next dome almost has all the concrete applied and the crew is smoothing out the top layer. An Airform inflates next to a dome with all the concrete applied and in the process of curing. The last dome on the right has most of the rebar in place and is almost ready for concrete application.
The name “Monolithic” means “one piece” and refers to the Monolithic Dome Institute which developed the EcoShells. The name “Ecoshell” means “Economical, Eco-Friendly and Thin-Shell”. At DFTW we normally refer to these Domes as simply, EcoShells.
EcoShells are constructed with 2 or 3 inches of concrete and a modest amount of rebar.
EcoShells use less than 50% of concrete and rebar when compared to a conventional, rectangular building of the same square footage.
The compound curve of the dome makes it stronger than virtually any other structure. They also takes less money and time to construct. ’
EcoShells are constructed of readily available and environment-friendly materials. Trees and other local natural resources are conserved. Construction can be done by hiring local labor with very little special skills and/or equipment.
These Domes are as disaster proof as a building can get. They will withstand tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and fire. They cannot be burned, eaten by bugs or destroyed by mold. They will last for centuries. And because of the concrete’s thermal mass, interior temperatures remain stable
