Disaster-resistant hemispheric dome made with double ferrocement shells with insulating fill (click to enlarge)
This 20′ interior diameter, 314 sq. ft. design is my proposed solution for houses that need to withstand repeat hurricanes. See How to Build the Strongest Buildings That Can Last Centuries for more details. Features include: lexan windows with removable window and door shutters, monolithic geopolymer slab floor that’s integrated with the walls, build on high ground, plastic mesh that won’t rust, geopolymer plaster both sides, geopolymer pumicecrete or geopolymer perlite fill. Integrating the slab and dome and building on a rubble trench is ideal for seismic zones. In an earthquake, the building would slide back and forth somewhat like an upside down cereal bowl on a kitchen table (meaning the whole house remains intact as one shell).
The design will have to be tweaked for individual homeowner needs, and some details worked out with the engineer. Note how a woodstove is shown to reach a wider audience, even though it’s probably not needed in Florida. The woodstove could be replaced with an emergency water storage and filtration system, etc. A fold-out bed saves space. Please email me and we’ll work out the details to fit your needs.
Disaster-resistant hemispheric dome made with double ferrocement shells with insulating fill (click to enlarge)
Earthbag House Plans 
We live in an area with a high water table, so the underground shelter is out of the question here. But we also live with frequent tornado warnings (we haven’t had any on our property, but lots of them within 20 miles). Would this plan be safe enough for us, or should we berm it with earth on at least one side?
Properly built, it would be one of the safest structures in the world. And yes, you could add a little berming around the sides. I like to go about 30″.
Would this structure work in freezing, very cold climates in the Northeast? Could it be bermed into a hillside if there is little flood risk? Also, do you have a smaller version of it somewhere? (shed-sized, for one-two people to stay in in an emergency?).
I don’t recommend domes in cold, rainy climates because freeze thaw cycles will break down the plaster. But if you only want a simple shelter then follow this guide: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-an-Earthbag-Dome/
Even easier and more insulating is Kelly’s method: http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/articles/riceland.htm
Love it! Where /What can I do to get the plans to this ??
Thxs Love your Work!
Email me at strawhouses [at] yahoo.com
You don’t recommend domes in a cold, rainy climate. Is that due to the shape or the material? I live in New England, and I was liking the dome idea…
Without a roof for protection, snow, ice and rain would gradually deteriorate domes. Water would work it’s way into cracks (plaster always cracks) and then freeze and expand. Remember that domes evolved in desert climates…
Sorry for the repeat—-I just left this question on the “Disaster Resistant Catenary Dome” page, but this design is more suitable for a tornado shelter. Yet I still have the same question: Would a tornado be able to blow out the windows in this shelter? Or would the arched protectors break up the suction of the vortex of wind enough to be protective? Has this design been tested in tornados?
Add strong shutters and you should be fine.
hi..we really like the design of this dome and would like to know more details and build one in Arizona, How do we get plans and what is your cost estimate to build?
You can order plans through Dream Green Homes.com. The Hemispheric dome is not listed because they only show the most popular designs. The cost is $300 for PDF plans that include my earthbag building guide. Place your order (select any plan) and then write Hemispheric dome in the comments section and I’ll make sure you get the right plan).
http://dreamgreenhomes.com/