Quote:
Originally Posted by Bjeanj
That’s an interesting question. So much so (for me) that I did some research. Here are some points I found. - Monolithic dome structures drown out fires unlike conventional homes and businesses allowing for them to stand as other structures around them fall. The natural design of a dome starves uncontrolled flames of oxygen, but the actual materials of a dome structure also play a role in fire proofing. Dome homes are energy-efficient, easy to build and are able to better withstand hurricanes and tornadoes due to its round, aerodynamic shape.
- Domes are difficult to roof. And if not roofed exceptionally well, they will leak like a sieve. Domes are more difficult to roof and it takes longer than a conventional house.
Why are dome houses not popular?
Since the building envelope is so tight, some people are concerned that domes can become stuffy, moldy, or dangerous to live in
- Weaknesses are as follows: non-standard windows and doors installed in frame dome houses, complicated calculations for construction. Building materials are designed for rectangular houses, not for domes made of triangles
- Sound and activity from one part of the house can easily carry to other parts, making privacy a concern for families or individuals who prefer more separated living spaces. The curved walls and lack of corners in dome homes make traditional furniture placement and storage solutions difficult.
|
Thank you very much!!!!! That covered the situation very well. There just seems to be more disadvantages than advantages, which would add to the cost of a structure. It made me come up with a further thought. Maybe dome structure should be used in cases where MONEY is no object. Like for military applications. Or a hospital that you would NOT want to lose in an emergency. Or a Police or Fire station. Another factor is that if Dome home or office building became POPULAR maybe (?) the increased number of them would drive designers to overcome most of the disadvantages. Anyway, thank you for giving me that excellent explanation of factors slowing down Dome popularity. I notice that in many sci/fi movies there are Dome structures. And since Sci/fi is supposedly a predictor of future human life, then maybe our children and grandchildren will see more of them?????? Thanks.