all about domes

7/30/2019 All About Domes

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NATURAL SPACES DOMES37955 Bridge RD, North Branch, Minnesota 55056 800-733-7170

www.naturalspacesdomes.com Mpls/St. Paul Metro 651-674-4292, Fax 651-674-5005


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Page

1 Dome pictures

2 Who we are

3 Intro with exterior pictures

4 Intro with exterior pictures

5 Intro with interior pictures6 Intro with interior pictures

7 Energy efficiency & healthy homes

8 Interior air circulation

9 Dome shell ventilation

10 Roof condensation issues

11 Winter heating

12 Summer cooling

13 Dome connection system

14 Dome shell strength

15 Super-Wal double strut dome shell

16 Insulation values17 Exterior dome panels

18 Insulation types

19 Roofing

20 Roofing (cont.)

21 Riser Walls

22 Riser Walls (cont.)

23 Extensions

24 Extensions (cont.)

25 Permanent wood foundation

26 Permanent wood foundation (cont.)27 Cupolas - ventillation & view type

28 Cupolas - skyloft view cupola

29 Interior panels

30 Interior panel pictures

31 Natural Spaces Domes custom skylights

32 Skylight features33 Skylight shapes

34 Dome garages

35 Large domes (52 diam - 80 diam)

36 Commercial uses for domes

37 Passive solar heating

38 Site analysis & planning

39 Dome geometry - frequency

40 Construction Manual

41 Book of plans

42 Interior planning kits

43 Design - philosophy44 Custom plans

45 Owner building a dome

46 Owner-contracting

47 Contractor-built

48 Financing

49 Owner-builder Dome School

50 Video / DVD Tour of Domes

51 MinnesotaDome Home Tour

52 Beach Dome Rental

53 Dealers - shipping - contact info54 Pictures of domes

Table of Contents


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Spaceship earth has limitedresources. Our future depends onwhat we do with what we have left.

The philosophy of natural spacesdomes is to encourage people to stopbuilding resource depleting houses,whose designs are based on the last100 years.

Instead, we want people to startbuilding an inspiring, personal livingenvironment, designed for the next 100years.

A century in which intelligent,innovative housing decisions, like ournatural spaces domes, will provide a

benefit for the earth and itsinhabitants.

Buckminster Bucky Fuller has tobe given credit for the earlydevelopment and promotion of theGeodesic Dome, starting in the 40 s. Hisdesign team created spectacular, hugeDome enclosures for many uses. Hewas a prolific inventor, teacher andconsummate lecturer until his death inJuly 1983. It was a pleasure and honorto have met him.

Dennis Odin Johnson, owner ofNatural Spaces Domes, has beenpersonally involved and committed tothe advancement of Dome homes since1971.

Dennis comes from generations ofbuilders and crafters. His housedesigning goes back to 7th grade, along, long time ago (1955).

His background includes 1 1 years asan architectural designer and projectmanager for Gingold-Pink Architects,working in Los Angeles and Minneapolis.

In 1972, Dennis, with his late wife

Janet, founded the Big OutdoorsPeople, a Dome company that createdover 350 Domes in 6 years. In 1978,they formed Natural Spaces Domes,completely revamping the Dome system.They eliminated problems, incorporatednew, updated technology and patenteda simple, strong, easy to use Domebuilding system.

Natural Spaces Domes are easy tobuild, personally designed, healthy,resource efficient and fantasticallyenergy conserving. Read on and learn.

Natural Spaces Domes Staff in front of our 36 diam. office dome


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Living in the round is not exactly new. Cave dwellers,Kurds, Bedouins, Bees, Medieval Monks, Indians, Eskimos andZulus, to name a few, have tried it. But it took the Geniusof the late R. Buckminster Fuller, whose brilliantlyengineered structures were used in radar Domes on theArctic Dew line after World War II, to demonstrateconclusively that for the material used, Domes are thestrongest most efficient way to enclose space.

NaturalSpacesDomes

The Dome owners who

experience Dome livingevery day offer theirviews. . . .

There is such anawareness of nature inour dome. It must be allthe windows andskylights.

Following the firstseasonal shift throughall the glass has beena glorious nature

lesson. Anticipating thenext season isexhilarating.

We never thoughtthat living in a Domehome would be as funas it is. The kids thinkit s just great. Wedon t think we willever be bored withliving here.

Rejuvenating

Surprising

Humanly Elegant

Provocative

Breath Taking

A very personalhome

The ultimate energypenny pincher


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so much more than just a shelter

In contrast to the Mid- 60s, when most Domehomes were funky, patched-up symbols of thecounterculture, today s average Dome buyer israther Middle-American. We re building a basicAmerican housing unit that is a natural andintelligent alternative to expensive and inefficienthousing. Dome-homers speak lyrically of thefeeling of spaciousness, of an almost mysticalairiness induced by living under a skylit canopy.

In a place of timeconsuming conventionalconstruction, NaturalSpaces offers precise

factory engineering:solid, interlockingcomponents, pre-cutfor faster assembly.

In place of minimallydesigned structurebased on rectangles,our Domes are basedon nature s strongest,most efficient shapes- the triangle and thesphere.

In place of vinyl,aluminum and sheetrock,our domes offer allthe warmth andnatural beauty ofwood.

In place of typical,look-alike housing, ourDomes offer almostunlimited designflexibility. Unique,exhilarating, neverbefore imagined spaces.

Whether youprefer country-style,rustic or dramaticcontemporary design -Whether you startwith your plan or ourplan - your NaturalSpaces Dome home hasnever looked better.


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Our Dome home can provideyou with a totally newexperience in living - a spacious,open, airy environment.

Design flexibility allows youto have total freedom ofexpression in creating marvelousinterior Dome spaces.

Skylights let the moon andstars in and show cloudsdrifting by, lifting your spiritseven on the dullest of days.

Imagine a gently curvedceiling over twenty feet high.You ll never again feel boxed in,just safe, comfortable, andsnug.

It s time our houses werebuilt for the way we live. Theobsolete way may be the easyway to build todaY, but it won tgive you your money s worthtomorrow.

NaturalSpacesDomes


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How did you know we would liveso happily inside this space? Whydidn t you prepare us for the feelingof complete union between our livingroom windows and the river view?

The dining room is completelyseparate from the living room, butthey re joined so organically by awarm curved wall and warm fireplace.

The patterns the moonlight makeson the inside are breathtaking.

It s a three-dimensional show placeand nest, rolled into one. It s a joyto live here.

ask the person who owns one


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energy savings

healthyhomes

One of the biggest factorscontributed by the Dome to energysavings, is the Dome shape. The uniquequality of the Dome is that byeliminating the boxes corners, roundingthe cube so to speak, it eliminates 30%of the surface area assuming the samefloor area. Which, right away, reducesthe heat lost thru the walls and roof30%.

We ve taken the attic space of theconventional house (which you pay tohave built) and used it to create moreupper floor space along with the high

ceilingED space for a glorious greatroom.Another plus for our Dome is in the

fact it has 60% to 70% less framingmembers in the walls and roof. This cancontribute an additional 5%-10% in energysavings, a Natural Spaces exclusive.

As we add more insulation andtighten up our wall/ roof system,

indoor air quality becomes a criticalissue. Natural Spaces understands thisand offers a Dome system minimizing

indoor air contaminants from buildingmaterials.As an example, our standard interior

surface of the Dome is made fromnatural spruce wood. In the typicalmodern house, where we ve eliminatedgreasy food cooking and tobacco smoke,this wood does not require anychemical sealants or finish. If you needto Seal this wood, we specify a verylow chemical content sealer/finish.

We also work with those that arechemically sensitive to specific

elementS, creating a personally healthycustom Dome environment.

Indoor air quality can be enhanced byusing fresh air-to-air exchangers or, incolder climates, an HRV (Heat RecoveryVentilator) system. These systemsexhaust stale, moist air, and take inclean, dryer outdoor air (assuming youhave cleaner, drIer outside air).

Let us help you create a healthyindoor environment. After all, there wasa reason we chose to call our companyNatural Spaces Domes.


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air circulation

Heat rises. One of nature s laws.During the winter, we need to produceheat in our homes. Conventional homes,with their heat supply next to thefloor and their return duct next tothe floor, have a hard time dealing withthe heat sitting up at the ceiling level.So, it is usually 80 up high and 60 onthe floor. All those square box roomsand air that doesn t like to move atright angles.

The Dome has an advantage with its

round shape. Warm air, introduced at thefloor around the outside of the Dome,flows readily to the top of the Dome

It would be nice if it would thencirculate around and up and down insidethe Dome by itself. That theorydoesn t take into account the secondfloor system, skylights cooling offthe air, chimneys and the like hindering

the air flow. The warm air needs somehelp to move around.

Natural Spaces Domes utilizes awarm air intake at the top of the Domeconnected to the furnace air handler.This equalizes the temperature in thedome with dome owners reporting nomore than 1 to 2 difference betweenthe lower floor and the loft.

If you ARE using radiant floorheat, a large ceiling fan or an in-line fanin a return air duct would equalize theair temperatures.

Our domes are super-insulatedwith tight vapor barriers and superlow infiltration. An air-to-air heat orenergy recovery ventilator (HRV orERV) will provide a source of freshmake-up air and especially important incolder regions of the country, willtemper incoming air. An HRV/ERV will


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ventilationwall cavity

As leaders and pioneers in thefield of dome home technology,Natural Spaces has developed a domewall ventilation system that providesfor continuous natural air circulationover the entire fiberglass insulationsurface.

Air enters at the bottom ofthe dome shell through a

flared base vent skirt withscreening, rises as it iswarmed by the sun, andescapes out of the toplow profile vent cupola.

The air beingvented carries with itany moisture-laden airthat has migrated intothe wall cavity fromthe inside of the dome.

Most other dome companies ignorethe condensation problem or simplydon t know it exists.

Almost all of the building codescall for a vented air space on thecold side of the insulation in anycathedral ceiling. All building codesrequire ventilation of attic spaces.

Dome companies that use rigidinsulation, cutting it to fit within thetriangles, may have a seriouscondensation problem because theinsulation board does not fit tight tothe outside panel. This leaves aperfect space for vapor to condenseon the outside panel.

If you have ever tried cutting 4x8sheets of insulation board and tried tofit them into triangular spaces, youknow you can t get a tight fit.Vapor barriers that are put uptriangle by triangle create a gap atevery single joint, allowing vapor oeasily enter the roof cavity.

The only kind of insulation notsubject to this problem is sprayeD-in=place urethane. This material, whenproperly applied to dry wood, adheresand does not allow vapor to penetrate.However, there are other problemdetails to be dealt with correctly.


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condensation

Condensation can be described asthe change in moisture from a vapor to

a liquid. Water vapor within the housecan migrate through the wall orceiling during the heating season tosome cold surface where it condenses,collecting in the form of ice or frost.During warm or sunny periods, thefrost melts. When conditions aresevere, this meltdown in unventedspaces may drip to the ceiling belowand damage the interior finish. Woodsheathing may swell up. Insulationbecomes wet and loses resistance toheat loss. These problems can bereduced or eliminated when proper

construction details are used.

The control of condensation thruthe use of vapor barriers and

ventilation should be practicedregardless of the amount of insulationused.

The use of both inlet and outletvents in attic and roof spaces aids inkeeping the air moving and preventingthe accumulation of frost orcondensation on roof sheathing in coldareas. Dead air pockets in the roofcan normally be prevented by gooddistribution of inlet vents in the soffitareas. However, there is still a needfor vapor barriers; ventilation alone,when insulation is used, does not

prevent condensations problems.

MAP SHOWING CONDENSATION PROBLEM AREASWinter condensation problems occur where the average temperature forJanuary is 35 or lower. Some intermitant problems may occur in otherareas having averages up to 45 .

Special ventilation andvapor barrier systems areneeded in coastal regionsand mixed-humid regions

This map is from a 40-page governmentpublication oncondensation problems


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wintertime warmthBuilding codes require certain insulation

values, called R-values, for the walls androof. These are not the ideal or the maximumR-value-it is the minimum R-value. In 1974 they

were saying your roof should have 6 ofinsulation with an R-19. Currently, codes callfor a minimum R-30 IN THE FAR SOUTH, r-38 INTHE CENTRAL AND northern states, R-49 in theextreme northern area.

We offer economical, easy to build domkits that will give you R-values to boastabout: R-44, R-55, and R-66.

certainly ready for the next century.

The natural spaces dome systemwas designed by the People who live inMinnesota-northern Minnesota. As thisbook is being written the temp is 25below zero with a 20 mph wind. Thatmeans a wind chill factor of 76 belowzero!

Yes, we re writing this from ourdome office and home. Yes, we arecomfortable even though our dome wasbuilt to the standards we had 17 yearsago. We think our system now isgreatly improved from the one we hadthen. We learn from our pastexperiences-once we ve proven somethingin the field, we make changes.

Building a warm dome doesn t justmean more insulation. It s many things,like our vented dome shell, insulationplacement, caulking details, Tyvekhouse wrap, 6 mil plastic vapor barrier,foundation wall insulation, triple andfour pane windows, internal heatrecirculation, and others you will readabout later in this book.

Our warm dome is economical tobuild. We don t want you sitting in yourwarm dome worrying about how you aregoing to pay the mortgage. We wantyou sitting in your warm Natural Spacesdome chuckling about your neighbor inhis cold, conventional, expensive house.


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summertime cooling

In the summer, the sun s heatradiates thru the roof shingles &plywood. This heats the air inside theshell cavity. In a standard roof thisheat will penetrate thru theinsulation into the home. Our exclusiveventilated wall & roof cavity worksjust like the old-time double roof.The heated air inside the shell cavityrises in our air space between theinsulation and plywood. This creates achimney effect, pulling in coolerground air thru the base vents andgetting rid of the hot air thruthe top vents.

Our view cupola utilizes aventilation principle perfected byBucky Fuller over 40 years ago.

Windows on the leeward side ofthe cupola are opened and the winDgoing over the dome pulls the hotair out.

Our 12 to 21 thick super-waldome shell allows for moreinsulation at less cost than anyother structure around. This extrainsulation actually stops thesummer heat from penetrating thruthe dome wall and roof.

All of these measures combine

to drastically reduce the air-conditioning load. In some cases, theneed for air-conditioning iscompletely eliminated.

If you are in a climate or sitethat does need air-conditioning, ourview cupola with windows makes foran easy installation of a windowtype air-conditioner. Because of our

super-insulation and the idea thatcool air drops, it s amazing what a5,000-10,000 BTU unit willaccomplish.

Open stairways, open lofts,return air ducts, reversible ceilingfans, brick fireplace mass and othersimilar features contribute tomaking the air-conditioner workeffectively and efficiently.


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super-loc

connection system

At the heart of the Natural SpacesDome system is our patented connectionhardware which we call the super-lok.

Invented in 1978, it was the answer tosix years of dome building usinginadequate wood plates, metal brackets,and panelized systems.

The sleeve is made from very heavygauge steel with extra thick zinc platingto make it rustproof.

In connecting the sleeve to the woodstrut, anything less than four 1/2 boltsjust wouldn t do to satisfy ourstringent engineering requirements. Again,the bolts and nuts are zinc plated.

What we were looking for was aconnector that was self-aligning and sosimple to put together that any dummy-sorry, that should be any novice domebuilder could do it.

We didn t want you to have to doany of the assembly of the struthardware upon the scaffolding.

With our system all you do is slipthe sleeve tongue into the hub slot andpound a hardened, zinc plated bolt pin inplace, securely locking the twotogether. That s it-no coming back totighten, no re-aligning, no adjusting.

The next step is just moving on tothe next strut.

Working with our structural engineerand our metal fabricator, we came up withour unique hub design.

The entire hub is a one piece, very highstrength, aluminum extrusion.

The tongue from the sleeve fits ontothe slot around the perimeter of thehub.

Having squashed various pipe hubsduring testing, we came up with integralreinforcing spokes to strengthen thehub. It now could take extreme pressurefrom the struts-both pulling and pushing.

So sure were we that we had afantastic dome connection system, weobtained a patent, #4, 262, 461.


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The need for a super-strong connectiondevice for domes becomes evident in examining

how the dome framework reacts to loads:

The dome framework transfers allof the roof loads directly to the

base of the dome. These loads getadded to each other on the way down.The lower part of the dome has to beable to take 6,000-8,000 pounds ofpressure at each lower connectionpoint. This means that the weakest linkin the chain has to be able to takethis pressure.

Our super-lok connector has beentested independently and by itself willwithstand over 14,000 pounds oftension. However, tests were run withour sleeve mounted on the #1 gradesouthern pine strut. This better

resembles actual load situations.

The test tried to pull the woodstrut from the hub. The wood split atover 8,000 pounds but did not actuallycome apart. Our sleeve has four 1/2bolts connecting it to the strut. Oneof our competitors uses 2 bolts inattaching a bracket to their strut.They use fir lumber which is not asstrong as southern pine. Even thoughthey use 5/8 bolts, our connectionsystem would still hold at least 30%more stress.

We have done extensive computerengineering analysis on our dome withour structural engineers. Our systemsurpassed the structural needs for 10different loading criteria the worst ofwhich were:

80# snow load combinedwith 80 mph wind

50# snow load combinedwith 90 mph wind

80# snow load combinedw/zone 4 earthquake

120 mph basic windThis combination loading creates

what is called eccentric loadingwhere all of the normal roof load isput on only 1/2 of the dome. Again wesurpassed the structural needs.

The Natural Spaces connector isthe strongest dome connector on themarket.

Our competitors have been heard tosay our system is over engineered -we think you deserve nothing less.


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super-walthe double strut system

Most other dome companies offer 2x4

struts as standard or at best 2x6 asstandard. Very few will even offer 2x8 asan option. Why? Probably because it s easyand cheap. For them, that is.

We learned several hundred domes agothat a 2x6 dome is not enough.

When Natural Spaces was formed in 1978,we had learned from six years of domebuilding and the energy crisis that oldbuilding methods were not going to carryus into the 21st century.

So, we invented the super-wal doublestrut system providing a true superinsulated dome system.

When you buy a dome shell systemfrom us, your super-wal struts come pre-assembled with sleeves attached ready toerect.

We learned how to manufacture a 15 , 18or 21 wide strut for the same price asour 2x10 strut. We learned how toproduce and sell them for less moneythan our competitors 2x6 dome system.

Why do you need such a thick strut?To add more insulation and provide forwall cavity air ventilation.

Is there a maximum R value or a pointof diminishing returns? The additionalinvestment you are making in the super-walis so small that you get a fantasticreturn. If anyone can predict what theworld energy picture will be like 10, 25or 50 years from now, we ll tell youexactly what the payback is. Just thinkback 20 years ago. Now, don t you wantsomething more than a 2x6 dome?

We also made our super-wal systemeasy to erect. Being pre-assembled, youdon t have to go back and add anything or

tighten or align anything.Once you pound the bolt pin in place,your framework is locked rigidlytogether. You erect your double-strutdome framework in one day in one operation.


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for superinsulatingBecause we use safe, economical,

fiberglass batt insulation, we havedeveloped standard super-wal sizes:Superwal Insulation Air Space R-Value

12 9 1/2 2 1/2 3415 6 1/4 & 6 1/4 2 1/2 4418 6 1/4 & 91/2 2 1/4 5521 9 1/2 & 9 1/2 2 66

Two 6 batts are cheaper than one 12batt. We notch our struts and set backour sleeve to allow airflow betweenpanels.

Our super-wal system includes the

riser wall and the view cupola. It s atotal superinsulated shell from thefloor up.

Our super-wal double strut system isnot a new experimental system. We ve beenbuilding it for years. It s practical andeconomical to build. Best of all, it willsave you thousands of dollars in yourfuture fuel bills, providing you comfort ofmind and body.


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exterior panels

A Natural Spaces dome uses 3/4exterior grade plywood for theexterior triangular sheathing panels. At atime when other dome companies werefiguring out how to use thinnersheathing, we were looking at thequality of our system. 3/4 plywoodallows us to free-span each trianglewithout requiring expensive and time-consuming bracing between the struts.

This is how weget a full

triangle out ofeach sheet ofplywood

Our triangles are cut from 4 x8sheets that have a tongue and grooveedge on each long side. It s a plywoodcalled underlayment grade, which isreadily available from any lumber yard.

When the two pieces of the trianglepanel come together, there is a tongueand groove edge along the joint line.This creates a very stiff joint that

does not require additional bracing behindit, except in very extreme structuralloading situations.

We then use the rest of theplywood sheet to make our gussetplates for our super-wal strut, therebyalmost completely eliminating any scrap.

Other dome companies use 1/2 plywoodor 1/2 chipboard. In order to use 1/2plywood dome triangles, you have to adD2x4 braces at 16 O.C. to support theroof load. All of these braces createadditional areas for heat loss to occur

directly thru the framing. They alsocreate dead air spaces and make it almostimpossible to ventilate the wall-roofcavity. In other hub and strut domesystems this additional bracing addstremendously to the time involved inputting up the frame, not to mention theadditional costs which can be significant.

Chipboard or waferboard also hasexpansion problems with moisture present.


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insulation

Fiberglass batt insulation, we havefound, is the safest and most economicaltype for our domes.

Some dome companies claim they canget an R-35 using 2x4 construction.Building codes allow only a maximum r-value of 6.25/inch for figuring foam-insulating values. Multiply that times 31/2 thick struts and you get an R-22.

Other companies also say that thereare vastly diminishing returns beyond acertain R-value. Currently, the minimumceiling R-value for the northern tier ofthe U.S. is R-38. 25 years ago these same

authorities were suggesting an R-19ceiling. How will it change in the future?Why build a dome home with 2/4 s or2x6 s that starts out 25 years behindthe times?!

You actually pay substantially lessfor a Natural Space dome with an R-44value than you do for the competition sdome with an R-30!

We offer industrial type densebatts in various thicknesses of 6 , 8 and9 1/2 . We put in 2 layers creating 12 , 16and 19 . We also offer widths of 60 , 72

and 96 . This allows for one-piecetriangles with no splices and quickerinstallation.

Other insulation types are:Sprayed Urethane Foam- does not

require condensation ventilation if doneproperly. Because of high installed cost,this type is usually used for larger,commercial domes.

Rigid Insulation Board- this type willwork only if provisions are made for atleAst 1 1/2 of ventilation space betweenthe outside sheathing and the insulation.

Its R-value is twice that of fiberglassbut its cost is four times greaterCellulose, Icynene , lamb s wool,

natural cotton are some of the otherinsulations currently available. We canhelp you figure out what s best foryou.


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roofingThe dome is essentially all roof.

Leaky domes are caused by incorrectroofing applications and poorly designedand installed skylights. The NaturalSpaces complete domes building systeminsures a watertight and leak free homefor years to come.

Our illustrated construction manualshows you or your builder roofingtechniques that we have perfectedover the last 25 years in the designand construction of several hundreddomes.

Our experience is your gain.


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Most of the extra time roofing adome is involved in setting up theladders and scaffolding and then inmoving materials and people around.

We shingle our domes triangle bytriangle. Starting at the bottom pointup triangles, the shingles are cutshort of the panel edge. Then thepoint down triangles are done

overlapping the triangle below by 5 ,allowing for secure nailing and goodseal down.

Another shingling type is the wrapmethod, which only works on thelower portion of high profile domes.The top portions have to be done intriangles.

Our curb-mounted skylights with 6flashing extensions are an integralpart of our complete watertight roofsystem. Other skylights come withonly a 1 1/2 to 2 flashing-barelyenough to cover the shingles. Ourflashings are enamelized aluminum orPVC coated aluminum so you never haveto repaint them. We offer them in 15colors to blend with your shinglesand match your trim.

Extensive use of ice and water-shield membranes, metal base flareddrip edges, oversized drip and roofedge flashings are other ways weensure a long lasting leak free domehome.

The vast majority of our domesare shingled with 30-50 yeardimensional asphalt shingles. We do notuse 3-tab type asphalt shingles-theydo not work on a dome.

We shingle triangle by trianglewith a 6 overlap of the lowertriangle by the upper triangle. We donot use or allow ridge caps on anyof the joints. We do not have leaks.Period.

Reinke aluminum shakes are anotheroption. They have a limited lifetimewarranty and come in 11 colors and realcopper. Real cedar shakes or shinglescan be used if you have an experiencedroofer who has applied them before.

The dome at right has anelastomeric liquid roofing system.Texture can be added to this system.Our Natural Spaces dome, because it isventilated under the roofing plywoodand uses touch-sanded plywood, isideally suited for this application.


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riser wallsOur basic dome shell package

includes riser walls in the followingheights:

Model 475/625 high Special 4 /8Model 950/1250 low 45 highModel 950/1250 high 28 highModel 1500/1700 low 45 highModel 1600/1800 mid 28 high

We can supply riser walls in varyingheights up to 48 high. We will workout the correct height in conjunctionwith your particular plan. Risersdetermine extension arch height, secondfloor height and main floor windowheight.

We don t like to waste material. Ourriser wall incorporates the firsthorizontal row of struts as its topplate. Because our plywood sheathingruns down the face of the rim joist, wedon t need an outside bottom plate. On a40 diam. Dome this saves you 240 lin. Ft.of lumber.

Our corner riser strut has asleeve structurally attaching it to thedome above.

Our super-wal system uses thestrut thickness as the riser wallthickness. Here again, we use inexpensive2x4 studs on the outside and inside tosave money. You then have a doublewall riser superinsulated for energyefficiency. (The picture shows a 2x6riser for a garage dome).

On our 26 /29 models 475/625 we havealtered the dome geometry and createda unique trapezoid shaped riser wall.The low point is 4 and the high point is8 . ON these smaller domes thisprovides a vertical wall for lessexpensive conventional window. This alsohas the advantage of providing a muchlarger loft area with greater headroomthan is normally founding a standard26 /29 dome.

This altered geometry alsoprovides two high extension openingsdirectly opposite each other. The 29dome at right can easily be developedinto a three bedroom home with 1500sq. ft.


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The drawing at right shows a36 low profile model 950 with andwithout a 36 riser. In this case ifyou want a usable loft, you haveto add a riser wall. The 40 diam.Low profile would add about 2 ofheight to this drawing.

The height of the riser willalso determine the height of theextension. A 36 high profile domehas 6 -8 between horizontal strutrows which is too low to fit astandard door with framing. So, youneed a riser wall.

You want to also line up thesecond floor framing so that it

ties into the second horizontalstrut band and this requires ariser (height depends on dome).

If you are building a lowprofile dome and are using a riserwall higher than 42 , we suggestyou consider adding a band oftriangles instead, making it a highprofile dome. As shown at right, acomparable band of dome trianglesis more efficient than aconventionally framed wall. Becauseframing lumber has a much lower R-

value than insulation, the moreframing, the more heat is lost.

If you re planning to build adome on an 8 riser wall, it justwon t look right; besides, we thinkyou want a dome home not a dome-capped round house.

Another use of the riser wallis for the insertion of conventionaltype awning or casement windowsto provide ventilation. Most awningwindows would require a riser

height of 26 to 28 as they areabout 24 high.

We like to use the trianglewindows for view windows becausethey don t have any screens, beinga fixed unit, screens even whennew, restrict up to 50% of yourview. By lacing an awning windowwith screen in the riser, you arenot looking out of it for view, butare using it for ventilation andlight.


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extensionsBy extending a particular area of

the Dome, you can gain square footagewhere it is most needed. Instead ofhaving to go to the next larger sizeDome to make your plan work, simpleextensions may be your answer.

Extensions are made up of a seriesof 2x8 or double 2x4 pre-fabricatedarches spaced 24 apart. The top andslanted sides are shingled while thestraight part matching the height ofthe riser is sided.

The shape of the arches shouldmatch the opening in the Dome shell.However, we have altered thistraditional shape to accommodate

special design features such as sidedoor entries.

Extensions are put on to create aflat end wall for easy installation ofconventional doors and windows. Theend wall is usually set back 2 or 3to provide a rain shield/sun screen.This setback also softens the hardedge of the extension by creatingshadow lines.

Extensions give the dome a neededhorizontal line, helping to wed thedome to the ground.

They also break up the bubblelook of the dome, softening itssevere roundness.

A Natural Spaces Dome does nothave to have 5 extensions like somecompetitors domes. Your dome kitcomes as a complete dome withnothing left out for extensions. Youonly add them on as you need to.

As shown at right, many peopleuse the extensions for a greenhouse, sun space, or hot tub room. Bycoming out the east or west side of

the dome, a large group of windowscan be put on the south slanted wallfor solar gain. In this case at right anatrium door is on the end wall leadingto a deck.

In most every dome an extension isused for entry. In colder climatesthis is set up with an inner and outerdoor with a closet between. Thiscreates an energy lock, keeping thecold wind from directly entering thedome when the door is opened.


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Our exclusive twostory extensionfor high profiledomes in this caseprovides a mainfloor entry andbreakfast roomalong with a 2ndstory extensionof the masterbedroom. Note theone piece pre-fabricated arch atright and thesunburst at left.

For architectural design as well asstructural stability, we match the lowerlevel with the extension above. The lines ofextension seem to grow out of the grounddiminishing its add-on look. By completelysupporting all sides of it, we eliminatedifferential settling that could take place.

Extensions seem to overpower the domewhen viewed from the outside. The picturebelow was taken with a wide-angle lens,which didn t help. However, the dome has thatquality of looking small on the outsidewhile the extension looks larger. You justhave to get inside to see how they balanceeach other.


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The All-Weather Wood Foundation

What is an All-Weather Wood Foundation?It s a basement built of wood, just like the walls of your

house - with a difference.

The difference is that the wood framing and plywood are

pressure-preservative-treated to make them last in contact

with the ground, like the wood pilings and supports under

high-rise buildings constructed more than 80 years ago. (The

preservative treatment is even better now.)

Why is an AWWF so good?It s a better building system because it has features no

other foundation system can offer. Here are just a few.

1. It is designed and engineered especially for your home site,your soil conditions, your house plan. Wood foundations don t

crack because plywood-and-lumber construction acts as a

structural diaphragm, a bridge across areas of differing soil

settlement. Wood has the ability to absorb stresses of all

types that cause cracks in more brittle materials.

2. The All-Weather Wood Foundation provides drier, morecomfortable living area below grade. The AWWF starts with an

excellent drainage system built in, not fix-it measures later.

The AWWF is dry to start with, because it s built to be dry

with dry materials, and it stays that way. Whether your

house is set into a hillside or stands in a level lot, you get

no moist, clammy basementy feeling, no musty smells.

3. The AWWF costs less to live in. Wood is a naturalinsulator and wood framing provides for ease of installing

thicker batt-type insulation, resulting in substantially lessheat loss through the wall. You don t have to pay for

excessive heat loss through the foundation. An insulated wood

foundation saves many dollars annually in fuel costs.

4. An AWWF can cut your initial building costs. Your builderdoesn t have to pay workmen or delay construction while

waiting for rain to stop, ground to dry or thaw, or concrete

or mortar to cure. He can put in an AWWF in any weather.

Your house goes up faster. You get a high-quality home,

bottom to top, and the savings can be passed on to you.

5. A wood foundation is easy to finish inside. There is no needto attach furring strips to permit installing insulation and

interior finish materials such as drywall or paneling. With anAWWF, the nailable studs are already in place. Thicker, more

effective insulation can be readily added to an AWF wall.

Finishing is as simple as any other wood wall. If you are a

handy homeowner, you can save even more money by doing the

finishing work yourself.

6. The AWWF exterior can be finished many, many attractiveways. It can match or complement the rest of your home s

exterior. It can be finished with wood siding, stucco, brick

veneer - any kind of finish used on the upper part of a

conventional home. Plywood sidings with wood stains make

available many pleasing combinations of texture and color for

7. An AWWF provides more actual living area belowgrade. Multiply the extra three to six inches of

concrete or masonry wall thickness by the length

and width of each wall in your basement. Add the

answers together to get the total extra space

your AWWF provides. This can add from 35 to 70

square feet or more. At today s construction costs,

it s a meaningful bonus benefit.

8. An AWWF is easy to remodel. You can add windowor door openings or readily make additions to an

AWWF at a later date.

Who says an AWWF is a betterbuilding system?

All-Weather Wood Foundations are recognized by

all the major building codes in the United States and

by most local codes. They are also accepted by

both government and private mortgage insuring and

lending agencies. The Farmers Home Administration

guarantees loans up to 50 years for certain multi-

family housing units on All-Weather Wood Foundations.

Loans for single-family homes on AWFF s run the same

length as other conventional home loans. Insurance

rates are the same as for other foundation systems.

People who live in homes on All-Weather Wood

Foundations say that they wouldn t have it any other

way.


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a Natural Spaces wood foundation

All wood foundations arenot created equal

Reading thru our literature, you knowthat Natural Spaces is committed toresource efficiency and minimizingenvironmental degradation.

When first available, we switched tothe new ACQ treated wood containing NOArsenate, Chromium or other EPA listedhazardous items.

ACQ preserve is guaranteed toprotect against rot, decay and termiteattack using an environmentally-sensitive

preservative. It also comes with a lifetimewarranty.

We also use a 60 mil thick membranewaterproofing which will not dry out andcrack like old-fashioned tar dampproofing.

We use high quality stainless steelnails below grade.

Our standard wall utilizes ACQpreserved 2x8 kiln dried studs for addedstrength and insulation value. Our footingsare 2x10 providing better bearing.

We custom build our treated woodfoundations in pre-panelized sections tomatch your dome above. The stud size,spacing and details are worked out foryour site. For those who want to buildand fabricate their own foundation panels,we can provide detailed shop drawings.

Those are most of the reasons whyours is the highest quality treatedwood dome foundation on the market.

Other foundations:Our domes are often built using other

types of foundations: insulated concreteslab on grade (often with radiant floorheating systems built in); crawl spaces;pier footings; full lower levels(basement or walk out).

We also have many domes utilizing thenew insulated foam forms for reinforcedpoured concrete walls.


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cupolasventillation & view type

This is what the low profile vent

cupola looks like on a 40 diam. Dome.It s designed to be as unobtrusive aspossible.

The vent cupola is designed forreleasing any moisture-laden air thatwould have been trapped within thedome wall/roof. (Also see page 7).

This vent cupola comes pre-cutready to install when you buy ourpre-cut dome shell package. When youowner-build, we include complete plans.

The picture at right shows ourbase vent skirt at the top of theriser wall. It allows air into the

shell cavity at the bottom of thetriangles.

At right is an inside look at our viewcupola without the loft floor. Thewindows provide excellent naturalwhole house ventilation as explained onpage 10.

The windows are operated by anextended pole crank or by the touchof a button if you have the optionalelectric operators.

The awning windows are protectedfrom rain by the overhang of the

cupola roof. With an electric operator,you can also have a rain sensorcloser control.

Although we call this type ofcupola the view cupola because of itswindows, its original intent was forventilating the inside living space of thedome. As the hot air rises to the top,wind action over and around the cupolasucks the hot air ot of the leewardside. Just utilizing old-fashionedprinciples.

There is a certain amount of lightgain with all the windows up top but

that should not be the main reason forchoosing a cupola.The standard window height in our

view cupola is 24 . We can adjust theheight above the dome to allow fortaller windows. This would also raisethe floor of the skyloft.

The actual diameter of the cupola isdependent upon the opening created bythe top pentagon in each dome size.


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skyloft view cupolaOur optional skyloft is suspended

from the dome framework putting you ateye level with the cupola windows.Breathtaking views to the horizon.The ultimate dome home observation

platform-with or without telescope.A retreat space to end all.

The skyloft is actually a verysimple structure to build. We set up avertical strut in each corner of thetop pentagon. The roof struts areattached to the top of these posts andthe floor joists to the bottom.

The floor joists and roof struts

are each joined at the center to aNatural Spaces hub unit forming anextremely strong and rigid connection.

Access to the skyloft can be by astair/ladder or a disappearing typestair. Small spiral stairs will alsowork.

Window seats are usually set upunder one or two of the windows.

Windows do not have to be put onall sides - there is usually a chimneyflue coming up one side or maybe youwant to block out a certain view. Forsecurity and air flow, a railing is builtbetween floor & dome.

Other dome companies have tosupport their cupola from below. Oursseems to float while being strongenough to safely support as manypeople as can physically fit in thecupola.


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interior panels

The choice of the interior panelsets the whole mood of your domeinterior - from early rustic to moderncabin to high tech Scandinavian.

Pictures don t do dome interiorsjustice. You have to see the inside andpreferably with the type of panelyou intend to install.

Most Natural Spaces interiors arefinished with 1x6 or 1x8 tongue andgroove, v-jointed boards. Spruce is theleast expensive material (shown right)with other choices being pine, cedar,birch, ash, redwood, oak, elm, maple,

walnut or whatever you want.We ve learned that when you dothe dome triangles in wood, youshould put sheetrock on the riserwall and on interior walls to providecontrast. If not, you tend to lose thedramatic impact of the wood triangles.

The triangles are fabricated in theshop, cut into triangles and a backerboard added to make them one piece.When they are put up on the dome, atrim piece is put on over the joint,allowing for expansion or contractionand hiding other imperfections in the

joint. We also show you, the owner-builder, how to layout and cut theinterior panels.

You ll be surprised at the lowcost for these panels, especiallyusing spruce or pine.

The pictures on these pages maynot accurately depict the tone ofout interior panels. Spruce has a verylight tone creating a bright interior. Inour office dome we have wiped thepanels with a white stain and thenapplied a satin finish, clear, non-

yellowing, low V.O.C. sealer - a naturalwood white interior option tosheetrock.

Our interior panel systems do notrequire any bracing. They areengineered to free-span each triangle.

If regular sheetrock is to be used,each triangle would require 2x4bracing at 24 O.C. to support thesheetrock.

Before you do that, take anotherlook at our wood triangles.


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All pictures show spruce T&G


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custom

windowsThe beauty of the dome is definitely

enhanced by our ability to placewindows in any one of its triangles.Window shape and size are notconstraints. We bring the outdoorsinside thru crystal clear float glass.We can flood that would-be drearyroom with light all day, the moon atnight and have a place for your

favorite hanging plants.Our window system was designedwith only domes in mind. We didn t haveto compromise any details. There simplyis not another custom dome window asversatile, watertight and maintenancefree.

Why a Natural Spaces skylight?We know that any window on a domehas to be treated as a skylight. It hasto be designed so that the flashingintegrates properly with the roofshingles. It has to be positioned for

proper solar orientation. The shape andgrouping should fit the size and moodof the room.

We custom design each window onevery dome. Using a multitude of basicsizes that match the angles of eachdome triangle, we achieve the correctgrouping and placement for yourparticular dome and site.

Creating energy-efficient skylights.The key to the energy advantage ofskylights is that they make direct use

of the sun s light, transmitting solarlight to reduce the demand forelectricity for lighting, whileefficiently utilizing the sun s heat tofunction as a passive solar collector.Triple pane construction combined withsolar lighting and heating effects,offset the energy negative of heatconduction thru the glass.

We think you will agree as youread thru this book - Natural Spacesoffers the widest variety, most optionsand highest quality in skylights.


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look at these features -

Natural Spaces insulated glasswindows are available in double, triple

and four pane systems. We use 3/16and thick tempered glass, which is 5times stronger than plate glass. Ourskylights have made it thru hailstorms where conventional 1/8 thicktempered glass skylights wereblasted out.

By using glass instead of plastic,our windows remain crystal clearforever. We also have an air spacebetween each pane creating one of thebest insulating ratings obtainable.Low E is also an option.

Around the entire window is aperforated spacer channel containingSilicate, a dehydrating agent, absorbingany moisture that happens to bebetween the panes. The entire glassedge is hermetically sealed with adual seal, applied under controlledconditions, to provide protectionagainst any vapor penetration. Theglass unit is manufactured andguaranteed against moisture betweenthe panes for 5 or 10 years by oneof the midwest s leading insulatedglass suppliers. If, for some strange

reason, it fails, it will be replaced,free of charge.

Our 2x4 wood frame is actually astructural frame. No interior framing or

branching is required - simply mount theframe on top of our plywood skin, then lagscrew thru the plywood into the #1 gradesouthern yellow pine frame.

Another feature is the 6 long flashingextending out from the window on all sides.Prefinished brown (15 optional colors areavailable), this flashing insures a properseal with the roofing. Some otherskylights come with only a 2 leg - barelyenough to slip under or over the shingles.

Natural Spaces uses a specialbronze anodized aluminium extrusionbetween the glass and exteriorflashing. We use Tremco butyl tape

sealants - the same type used in high-rise buildings. The top cap issecured using stainless steel screwsand washers.

So sure are we of our design, thatwe offer a 5-year guarantee againstany rain leakage thru our frame orflashing assembly.

We want to produce a truemaintenance-free, long-lasting, good-looking, energy-efficient window - andwe think we ve done it.


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window shapes

trianglesWe match our triangle

windows to the particular domepanel they are put into. The 36& 40 diam. Domes have 3different panel sizes while the45 -49 diam. Domes have 6different sizes. We then havewindow sizes within each ofthe panels that go in 4increments. For every trianglein the dome, there may be 10-12window sizes. Generally, sizes

run from triangles with a base36 high to sizes with a base88 wide and an altitude 74 high.

hexagonsThis is a very appealing

skylight for upper floor areaslike bathrooms, dressing rooms,etc.

Our hexagon windows thatfit within the dome panelgenerally run from 24 tip-to-tip sizes up to 52 tip-to-tip

size.We also make super largehexagon windows that fit overthe point where six trianglescome together. These sizesrun from 48 tip-to-tip up to amaximum of 84 tip-to-tip size.

trapezoidsThe trapezoid shape is used

primarily on the main floorwhere counters cut off thelower part of the triangle -

over a kitchen sink being themost popular. The exact shapeof the trapezoid is matched tothe shape of the triangle panelit s in. The height and width ofthe trapezoid is custom sizedand depends on physical interiorfactors and outside views.

The picture at right showsa band of the trapezoid shapedwindows in a 29 diam. Domearound the extension arch.


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garagesThe dome has been very successful in

satisfying the functional and esthetic needs ofthe garage when placed next to the domehome. The 29 diam. Offers 625 sq. ft. plus asubstantial loft area. The 36 diam. Offers 950sq. ft. Because of its shape, the dome providesstorage areas on the sides and back for allthe stuff you forgot. We are erecting a 45diam. Dome garage which will house 2 supercabtrucks, your basic car, 2 cars being restored,mower, tiller, bikes, topper and a project areaalong with a large loft. All this with nosupport posts. Of course, the dome garagewill blend in best with your dome home.

Wedding the conventional garage to thedome is best done by trying to achieve somecontinuity in the pitch of the roof and in theline of the roof. The siding should match thaton the dome and the roofing should match thaton the dome.

If you have a need for several garagedoors all facing the drive, this may be thegarage for you. It has some attic storage butthat is limited by the roof trusses.

The gambrel or barn roof can break-up or

soften the conventional low-pitch garage roofand mimic the roof line of the extension arches.

The tuck-under garage can be used onsloping sites. The exposed roof, if flat, can beused as a deck if care is taken to make surethere is proper water run-off and safeguardsagainst ice build-up. The deck should actuallybe wood decking raised above the garage roofon sleepers . Because the dome goes overpart of the garage, there is need foradditional support in the garage. For thisreason two 9 wide doors work better thanone 16 wide.

This can be the least expensive type ofgarage because of the dual use with the domeof walls, floor, roof and supports.


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large domes

Natural Spaces patented domeconnection hardware is engineered fordomes up to 80 in diameter. Thiscatalog is geared to residentialstructures which usually meansdiameters from 26 to 49 . However, wedo offer the following sizes:

Model 2100 52 diam. low profileModel 2300 54 diam. mid profile

Model 2600 58 diam. low profileModel 2800 60 diam. mid profile

Model 3300 65 diam. low profileModel 3500 67 diam mid profile

Model 4000 72 diam low profileModel 4300 74 diam. mid profileModel 4700 78 diam. low profileModel 5000 80 diam mid profile

Projects with large domes haveincluded: 72 diam. Dome for the city ofPoint Hope, Alaska (North of the ArcticCircle), for their city hall and communitycenter; two 74 diam. domes for anAssembly of God 20,000 sq. ft. churchcomplex near Indianapolis; 52 diam erectedat the summit of the Greenland ice cap.

Below is a triple dome church. It hasa 49 mid-profile for offices, storage &meeting rooms; a 74 mid-profile sanctuary,& a 60 low-profile for fellowship hall &classrooms below.

Commercial, public & institutional domesrequire preparation of plans withcomplete engineering certification. Workingwith our consulting engineers, NaturalSpaces can provide these services.


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commercial uses

The dome structure is a natural for anyuse requiring open space. To repeat anoften used phrase - Limited only byyour imagination .

Natural Spaces can provide yourcustom fabricated dome components tomeet commercial codes.

Our engineers can provideprofessionally-engineered designs to meetthe most stringent code requirements.

Write or call us to discuss yourconcepts-our experience is your benefit.

the DESIC

restaurant

Dome restaurant at left is 52 diam.model 2000. Dome church above is 60diam. model 2700. Dome church below is 74diam. model 4300, part of 2 dome group.


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solar orientationThis is where the dome really

shines! (couldn t resist the pun)

With the ability to place windowsin any triangle, the dome can be openedup to wherever the sun is, high orlow.

Virtually any site can be opened upto the south by the dome windows.

The dome at right has a largepentagon group of windows facingsoutheast. The solar greenhousefaces due south for maximum solargain. Below the greenhouse is a rockstorage mass for excess heat. Theforced air furnace then draws the airfrom this space.

Works great - even its northernWisconsin location.

The dome at right has six veryhigh triangle windows facing south andsouthwest. The window height wasdue to the sun angle and availabletree openings. In the winter, the sunhits a large brick fireplace mass from11AM to 3PM. The sliding glass doorsand south windows on the west facingextension also collect heat.

This northern Minnesota dome isalways bright and cheerful inside,uplifting the inhabitants even on dullwinter days.

Form follows function in mostdomes. If you want sun, you put in awindow. If you want a view, you put ina window.

Passive solar simply means youdon t have pumps, pipes, motors or fansto get the solar energy into yourdome. Much cheaper that way.

It can be as simple as the dome atright with almost all of its windowsfacing southeast, south andsouthwest.

We try to use passive solarprinciples in planning the dome withyou. There is just so much to begained. A Natural Spaces dome, beingsuperinsulated, can retain the sun sheat longer.

As fuel costs continue to rise,the free energy from the sun willlook better and better.


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site analysis

contour mapKnowing the slope of your site

is critical in the proper developmentof your plan. If there is any slopeat all, a contour map should be made.

This map would also spot themajor trees to help plan for thebest open solar gain area in winterand for summer shade.

The lines at right are contoursfor an actual site. A very steep sitebut one with a lot of drama. Exactly

how close to or how far over theedge of the hill a dome should beplaced, a map would determine.

When the actual digging for thefootings begin, someone has to tellthe excavator how far down to dig.

Too far down and you havedrainage problems, a walk-out thatwalks out into a hill, or drivewaystoo steep to drive.

Not far enough down and you havefrost problems, entries too high ornot enough backfill.

Guessing isn t good enough. Youshould either rent a transit and trydoing it yourself or hire it out.

Natural Spaces can provide thisservice with experienced people thatcan draw up a contour map quicklyand accurately.

site selectionThe actual building site should

take into account many physical andvisual characteristics:

Sun, wind, rain, snowTrees, shade, windbreaksWater runoff, drainageDriveways, walks, garagesLandscapingViews, both good and badPrivacy, noise-and many more

Natural Spaces can help you insituating your dome on your presentor prospective site, using our yearsof experience.


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dome geometry

Our competition has a somewhat

repetitive view of the dome. Itseems to be based on their viewingthe dome as an object to bemanufactured. They want to keepthe dome simple - for them that is.

When they build different domesizes they simply change the strutand panel lengths proportionally.So, a 26 diam. has 5 1/2 maximum edgelengths and their 46 diam has over10 maximum edge lengths.

They claim that by repetition ofangles they can keep the costdown.

Then how come a Natural Spacesdome is cheaper?!

Why do we think their view iswrong and what do we do about it?

First of all, can you imaginelifting or dealing with a trianglehaving sides 10 or greater?

On the other hand, the dome withtriangles of 5 1/2 or less on a sidewould be a breeze. But what aboutits efficiency in using materials?

Natural Spaces designs domes forpeople who build domes. We feel

that every part should be able tobe lifted and handled reasonably bypeople - after all, they are theones building. When the edgelengths go beyond 8 -9 , struts andpanels get hard to handle.

What did we do about it? Wechanged the mathematics of the domewhen we changed sizes. No matter ifyou are building a 26 diam. dome or a74 diam. dome - the strut/panelsizes are about the same. Thismakes handling a lot more human.

It also looks better. Our largersize domes are not as clunkylooking - they re more spherical.They have a better scale andproportion to humans.

Now, the competition can arguethat their large dome has fewerparts - but what would you ratherhave? An aching back or a nicelooking, easily erectable dome?


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constructionmanual

If you re going to put up your dome,

you need help and lots of it. After all,when was the last time you put up one?That s why Natural Spaces decided to

put 28 years of dome building experienceinto a construction manual. We didn t wantyou to be alone.

This is not your ordinary $5 bookletthat shows you how the dome shellgoes up. We re talking heavy-dutyconstruction manual - currently 350pages with 600 photos covering thebuilding of a Natural Spaces dome. Wealso include several standard buildingbooklets covering such things as

plumbing, electrical, ventilation, and lumberbuilding basics.We have added an hour-long video

showing our Beach Dome being built -risers, framework, panels, view cupolaskyloft, extensions, wall framing, upperfloor framing, skylight installation, andother items.

We try to show building sequencesclearly with lots of pictures anddetails.

Our Natural Spaces constructionmanual is designed for the novice owner-builder. There are also sections oncutting your own dome kit: how to makerisers, Super-Wal struts, the exteriorand interior triangle panels, vent cupola,view cupola/skyloft and extensionarches.

As new products come out or as ourcustomers report their use of a newproduct or procedure, we update ourconstruction manual. We also includerelated product literature, trying tofeature items that are environmentallysane and safe.

If you have questions while you rebuilding, you ll have our phone number.We ll be around - we expect to bebuilding domes for a long, long time.

You get our construction manual whenyou purchase a dome. You can also getit before you get your dome. Theconstruction manual is our way ofstanding by your side in your hours ofneed.


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book of plansThe plans in the plan book weredeveloped for individual clients. You will

be reviewing their ideas and dreams. Wehope you will peruse this bookgleaning new ideas from each plan. Wewant to attempt to raise your domeconsciousness by exposing you to awide variety of unusual plans.

Plans are a very moldable product -all you have to do to change somethingis erase a line and draw a new one.

Don t be looking for that perfectplan - it usually doesn t exist, atleast until it is created just for you.

The plan book has four to six plansfor each size dome. We just don tshow you a basic first and secondfloor plan like everyone else - weinclude all three floor plans (sincemost of our domes have lower levels)and we show a cut-a-way section of allthree floors. Then we include arendered picture of what that domelooks like in a real setting.

Domes Come True 2 features only45 -49 domes with 4-5 groupies. DomesCome True features mainly 29 -40 domeswith 2 at 46 and 3 groupie plans.

Natural Spaces Domes would like tohave the opportunity to create yourplan with you - our experience and yourdreams will make your dome come true.


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interior planning kit

Our interior planning kit provides

architectural scale (1/4 =1 -0 ) griddrawings for the floor planning alongwith a dome grid cross-section forplanning heights.

We indicate where extensions can beattached and give you cut-outs forplanning them.

We show you possible windowpatterns. You are also given theorientation of the skyloft and viewcupola.

We don t expect you to plan outevery detail of your dome home. Wewill take your basic ideas and finish

them but some people never got overthe paper doll cut-out stage.

We provide an extensive group offurniture and appliance cut-outs thatmatch the scale of your grid floorplans. Cut-outs for living rooms, diningrooms, bedrooms, baths, kitchens,closets, garages, and misc. items.

You may have some special items thatwith a tape measure and our scale rulerprovided, you can measure your actualpiece and make a scale model cut-out.

Included is a design program

questionnaire that we have you fill outand return along with your layout ideas.We can then plan a dome based on youalone.

If you want to use your computerfor drawing, you need to have a C.A.D.program (even a low-end system) thatimports DWG or DXF files. We can thensend you a computer disk with anInterior Planning Kit similar to our papercopy. See out price list.

If you are at all interested in a

custom dome plan, then you need this kit.The more effort you put into theplanning process, the better yourhouse will function as an environment foryour particular family and site.


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design

philosophyAt Natural Spaces, we believe there

is no such thing as a standard domeplan just as there is no such thing asan average family. Also, each site willhave its own advantages andparticularities. Road approaches, sunexposure, winter winds, summer breezes,shade trees, views, privacy and manyother items all have a bearing on thedesign of your dome. Your family s needsand functions along with each inhabitantswishes must also be considered in theplanning.

To relegate the dome to standardplans is to completely negate one ofits unique features.

A geodesic dome offers anunbelievable variety of plan options.The unobscured space within the free-span dome home allows for a fresh anduninhabited approach to contemporaryliving.

A thorough understanding of thedome concept and attention to yourfamily and site are of prime importance

in designing your dome home.A view of house, family and site as

one indivisible whole is of greatestimportance.


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custom plans

preliminaryYour own architectural program (likethe one from the Interior Planning Kit)along with any sketches of your domeideas and your site location are neededfor us to provide you with a set ofcustom preliminary design drawings.

Our involvement thru personal contactor written communication will answerspecific questions during this phase.

3 sets of preliminary drawings of all3 floor plans, cross section and anelevation will be sent for your approvalbefore continuing with construction plans.

constructionYour approved preliminary plans are

then developed into construction plansby adding all the dimensions, notes anddetails, foundation plan, floor framingplans, site plan and more elevations.Other drawings are available.

5 sets of plans are sent to youupon completion. Additional sets areavailable.

Your custom plans pertain to yourcustomization of the dome. You do not

pay for standard details pertaining tothe dome itself - these are included inour construction manual.

A Natural Spaces standard dome shellengineering package with a cover sheetlisting your project and address can besigned and stamped by a structuralengineer registered in your state.Provided free with your dome kit.

If your building inspection departmentrequires engineering certification of yourcustom dome drawings, we have consulting

engineers experienced in domes andlicensed everywhere. They will review,analyze and provide calculations for allpertinent details. They can then providethe required structural certification.


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owner builtOwner building - ah, the joys of doing

everything yourselves.The main reason people take on the

task of owner-building is to save money.With the right help, you can save abundle - from 20% to as much as 60%.

If you ve been frustrated trying tofigure out how to get that new domehome you need and want without payingand arm and a leg to a contractor,possibly this is the building method foryou.

It will require a major commitmentfrom yourselves. It will be all consuming.At times you ll be ready to quit. It willtax your marriage or any relationship.

However, as you complete the buildingtasks you will gain a feeling ofconfidence and accomplishment that s hardto imagine.

You don t have to be an expertcarpenter to build our dome home.

You can cut out your own struts -there are no angle cuts involved. Youcan attach out patented sleeve to thestrut yourself - we supply you with a

bolt hole drilling template. Then wesupply all the correct plated nuts andbolts. We show you how to make a jigfor the Super-Wal double strutfabrication. We show you how to cut thetriangles from regular 4x8 3/4 T&Gplywood. All of this is clearly shown inour 250 page construction manual.

The Natural Spaces Super-Lok hubsystem is a simple bolt together, self-aligning patented building system fordomes. It is so simple that your buildingcrew can put up the framework in one

day. The triangle panels take an added 1-2days (depending on size of dome). Therental of an inexpensive air nail gun makesthe panel application a breeze.

Where do you begin? Probably at theowner-builder Dome School. We ll showyou how to fabricate dome parts, thentake these parts and build a section of adome from the foundation up thru theinsulation, interior panels and much more.

Think about it - then write or callus.


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owner - contracted

Owner-contracting literally meansthat you take on the responsibilitiesof the general contractor: you hirethe sub-contractors; you order andcoordinate materials and labor; youmake sure everyone is doing their job;you also sometimes pick up and delivermaterials.

You take care of the construction

loan; take out draws on it; pay laborand material bills and get lien waivers.You take care of the building permit.

You also get to deal with theinspectors on the job site.

And what do you gain from all thisbesides the biggest dome headache youever had? Monetarily you will save atleast 10% to as much as 30% of yourproject costs - assuming you ve doneyour homework. You ll also gaincontrol over all the decisions beingmade. We didn t say that you would gaincontrol, just that you would be theone to make all of the job decisions.Instead of not knowing why somethingwas installed wrong or was goofed up,you would be in on the initial decisionand find out why it couldn t be donethe way you first wanted it. You doneed to maintain your sense of humor.

Owner-contracting allows you tomake some changes as you go, withoutthe general contractor screaming atyou, wanting to charge double for thecrazy idea you had.

Sometimes you can make a deal withsubcontractors to assist them tokeep their costs down. You can hireyourself to do the things you know

how to do or want to do.Couples sometime work very wellat this job because it usually takestwo novice people to replace onegeneral contractor.


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contractor builtContractor built means someone

other than you is doing the building andhandling any subcontractors in the totalconstruction of your dome home.

You may end up doing some painting orfinishing but for the most part youjust stand back and make decisions.

One of the main factors is that youare trading dollars for time. A gooddome contractor should be able tofinish your dome (depending on its sizeand amenities) in from three to sixmonths. This, of course, is going tocost you money for all that labor.However, you are paying for expertise,

quality construction and craftsmanship(we should say craftspersonship but itdoesn t sound good). Your buildingproject should also process moresmoothly.

An important item with any contractor

is to establish a detailed, itemizedconstruction contract that specifies atleast a total sum. However, a costitemized contract is better to deal withThe brand names or quality of itemsshould be specified.

Some good contract forms arepublished by the American Institute ofArchitects.

Most Natural Spaces dealers will actas a general contractor for you. Priceswill vary by region based on varyinglabor and materials costs.

Natural Spaces will act as an adviser,consultant, or supervisor to yourgeneral contractor in areas where wedon t have a dealer.


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financingHere are two ways many people use

to determine their ability to afford aparticular home:1. The total price of the home and

land should not exceed 2 to 3 timesyour annual income.

2. A homeowner should not paymore than 30% to 35% of their totalmonthly income for monthly housingexpenses - mortgage, heat, utilities,repair, insurance.

Natural Spaces has severalmortgage brokers and banks that loan

on dome homes. Some of these brokerscan provide permanent financing in otherstates.

You should go to the lender with apersonalized package fully detailingyour home building plans and yourcurrent financial status. You need toshow the lender you are prepared andresponsible.

If you talk to a loan officer for an

hour or two explaining all of yourplans and finances, he then has tosummarize your conversation to his loancommittee. If, instead, he can present thecommittee with comprehensive drawings,pictures and data, you stand a muchbetter chance for a favorable decision.

We can provide an eleven page cost

analysis of your dome plan. Using ourMacintosh computer, our Mac DomeBudget is a very accurate costestimate for you and your lender.

Inaccurate and incomplete costestimates are one of the greatestfaults of owner-builders. Our Mac Domebudget shows everyone what it willcost to completely finish your entiredome project.

Natural Spaces maintains a nationalDomes for Sale list along with a

national Registry of Domes providingvaluable information for these brokers.Contact us for more information.

Presentation package to lenders:1. Complete costs including any bids

or proposed contracts.2. Complete floor plans and

elevations of what you are going tobuild.

3. Specifications as to the type

and quality of building components.4. Vicinity map of project showingroads, schools, shopping, etc.

5. Plot plan showing proposedhome. Pictures of the site are helpful.

6. Copy of land deed and/orsurvey - legal description.

7. Septic permit or sewer/waterproximity.

8. Owner-builder of owner-contractor qualifications (if applicable).


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dome schoolIf you re ready for the comfort of

dome living, but you re not sure you re upto the challenge of building your owndream dome, Natural Spaces Domes has theanswer - a dome home constructionworkshop for owner-builders.

It is the only dome school devotedentirely to showing you how to buildyour own dome home by letting youparticipate in the actual construction.

The workshop is open to anyone whois interested in learning how to build adome or those who want to have controlof their dome building project. Someowners have their contractors attend.There are reduced fees for multipleattendees from the same project.

The workshop takes place at our fivedome factory, office and model domefacility in North Branch, Minnesota, about 50miles north of Minneapolis and St. Paul,Minnesota. Check with us for exact dates.Normal times are the last weekend in Apriland in June.

Give us a weekend of your time and we llgive you the hands-on experience you needto get started on your dome.

Happy Dome School students


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Friday afternoon-eveningDuring Friday s session, our

experts will introduce you to thefundamentals of constructing a domehome. Yo ll learn the terminology asyou work your way through theconstruction manual, materials list andblueprints. You will also view a videotape on dome construction and tour ourmodel dome and office dome.

SaturdayOn Saturday we ll put the tools in

your hands showing you how to cutyour own Super-Wal struts, exteriorpanels, riser walls, interior panels andother items. Using the components youhave made, we ll then erect a full-scalesection of a dome on top of a joist andplywood floor system.

Because we use real sizecomponents you ll be up on ladders andscaffolding, for some of theconstruction, duplicating the real thing.

Sunday MorningSunday s session will involve you with

installing our wide 72 rolls of fiberglassinsulation, installing vapor barrier andinterior triangle panels. We will also cut-in a skylight, deal with our exclusiveventilation system, apply felt paper andinstall shingles. You will get to inspect8-10 shingle types.

Sunday afternoonSunday afternoon s tour of domes will

take you into 2 or 3 other completeddomes in the area, allowing you to meetand talk with the owners.

The workshop fee is a small price topay to save you time, money and futurefrustration. You can bring your questionsto the experts and share your domedreams with other novice dome builders.

video - dvd tourThere is a video/DVD you can t afford

to miss. Natural Spaces Domes wouldlike to take you inside 8 beautiful domehomes. This Tour of Domes video-DVD isnot a 10 minute glimpse of 2 or 3 domeswith a high pressure sales pitch. It is afull length, 50 minute, interestinginformative tour and conversation with

each dome owner.Every dome was custom designed tofit the owner s budget, lifestyle andsite. From a small 2 bedroom retirementdome, designed for a couple, to a large6 bedroom double dome, you will beamazed at how well the dome adaptsitself to each owner s needs.

You will see how our dome homescan provide you with a totally newexperience in living - a spacious, open,airy, sky-lit environment.

See for yourself our view cupolaskyloft room at the top of our dome,offering a wonderful 360 view. Thepractical side of this cupola are thewindows that open, providing naturalventilation with lots of fresh air,minimizing air-conditioning needs.

See for yourself how a NaturalSpaces Dome lends itself to any styledecor whether it is rustic, countrystyle, traditional, contemporary ormoderne.

See for yourself how our domesbring the outside in with our NaturalSpaces Dome skylights in the shape oftriangles, trapezoids, hexagons orpentagons, allowing spectacular panoramicviews. Order your video/DVD now.


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dome tour

This unusual tour will let you intosome of the most energy-efficient,uniquely-designed domes in the upperMidwest.

No other house tour in the entireworld offers so many custom designed,super insulated domes open for touringon the same day. The domes are in avariety of sizes and price ranges.People come from all over the world.

Here s how our tour works - wearrange with 10 to 20 of our domeowners to open their domes to ourtour registrants for the firstSaturday in May and the first Saturdayin October. They are there to answeryour questions and explain their dome.

We reimburse the owners for theirtime and effort. We charge you amodest fee for the tour.

The homes are located in Mpls., St.Paul, up to North Branch, Minn. You aregiven a detailed map. You drive yourselfand being on your own, you can spend asmuch time looking at the domes thatappeal to you the most.

The domes are open from 9:30 AM to4:30 PM. The owners are present ateach of their homes. There are nosales people present except at our

main office model dome.Our tours draw rave reviews from

those that attend. The most oftenheard comment is that instead of seeingone home every month or so andforgetting what each one was like, youare able to view most of these uniquedome homes in the same day, enablingyou to make intelligent comparisons.


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Imagine walking out the door of yourdome, across the sand dune on your ownprivate walkway, arriving on the warmsandy beach and your own part of theAtlantic ocean. You can be a part of this

picture by renting our beach dome for aweek.

A truly wonderful vacation will beyours in this 38 diameter high profilewith 3500 sq. ft. of space. The 2story great room has a 40 wide panoramicview of the ocean. From thecupola/skyloft 50 above sea level, youcan see in all directions and look down onthe pelicans flying by.

Located on the beautiful 26 mile longTopsail Island off the southern coast ofNorth Carolina, USA.

Topsail is an island with uncrowdedbeaches, fishing piers, nearby golfcourses and warm summer and fallocean temps.

This dome was designed for largefamilies or several couples to vacationtogether providing private spaces aswell as communal spaces able tohandle many people.

The beach dome has 6 largebedrooms, 5 facing the ocean with 3 ofthem opening onto decks. The thirdfloor main bedroom has a 2 personJacuzzi with ocean views and its ownprivate deck. The large 3rd floorfamily room can sleep 4 more, bringingthe sleeping total to 16-18.

We have a huge kitchen, fullyequipped with dining at a central tableseating 10, a restaurant booth seating 4with ocean views and a counter with 3soda fountain swivel stools.

Other amenities include 4 bathrooms,two 10x30 covered decks, triple zonedcentral air conditioning, 2 large windowseats, 4 color cable TVs, 2 VCRs, AM/FMstereo, ceiling fans in each bedroom -enough stuff for a good self-indulgentvacation.

See us at: www.beachdome.com


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dealersWe have a small group of authorized,

independent dealers in various parts ofthe United States. These dealers havefabricated and constructed domes and canoffer you their personal experience andexpertise.

Some of these dealers purchase ourpatented Natural Spaces dome connectorkit and produce our shell kit on a localbasis. This can save you substantialshipping costs. Most of them also offercontracting services enabling you to get

experienced local assistance in completingyour dome.

We enjoy a dealer network whobelieve in our unique dome building system.We re proud to recommend them to you.

Foreign and overseas shipments of ourcomplete dome systems can be easilyaccommodated in ocean-going containers.Unloading is simple, if the ownerpurchases the container, making it into anon-site workshop.

Shipments of our dome systems in the

continental U.S. are handled in closed, 53semi-truck trailers. Rates are based onmiles, not weight. See our price list.

Natural Spaces Domes will continue toprovide and service dome structureswell into the future. Dennis Odin Johnsonand his fiance, Tessa Hill, have a clear anddedicated mission to leave this Earth in ahealthier, more natural state than whenthey entered. Dennis son, Erik, worksfull time at Natural Spaces Domes.Tessa s daughter, Karina, works part time

during college summers. Jim, Nancy, Dick,Darren, and the other hardworking,experienced staff are dedicated to makingsure you get personal attention,whether you are curious or seriousabout domes. We think that is the leastyou deserve.

Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved.No part of this book may bereproduced, stored or transmitted byany means without our writtenpermission.NaturalSpacesDomes37955 Bridge Rd.North Branch, MN 55056 U.S.A.

Phone 800-733-7107 651-674-4292Fax 651-674-5005

Email: [email protected]

Internet: www.naturalspacesdomes.com

www.beachdome.comwww.domesforsale.com


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Thanks to allour wonderfulcustomers forletting me takepictures of all

their great domehomes - D.O.J

all about domes

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