My Dream House
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My Dream of a Round House
So I've got this idea that I'm going to build a house someday, and it's going to be a round house. I've been investigating dome houses, EarthShips, yurts and tipis as part of my research, and thought I'd share it with you.
My latest interests include mobile micro-houses, sometimes just called "tiny houses" but I'm also fascinated by cob and Earthbag houses not to mention the various uses for converted shipping containers. My family is working on finding some land, and as the kid who spent way too much time with two chairs and a blanket playing "fort," I really feel like it's up to me to put some of my childhood enthusiasm to a more practical use.
My latest interests include mobile micro-houses, sometimes just called "tiny houses" but I'm also fascinated by cob and Earthbag houses not to mention the various uses for converted shipping containers. My family is working on finding some land, and as the kid who spent way too much time with two chairs and a blanket playing "fort," I really feel like it's up to me to put some of my childhood enthusiasm to a more practical use.
'Round and 'Round
table of contents
What Type Of Round House Do You Like?
I sort of think that there might be a spot for each type of structure on my land eventually. Each one has certain structural uses for which it is best. What do you think about round houses? Do you have a favorite?
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Books about Round Houses
Domes, tipis, yurts and other round shelters
Before you build a house you have to have someplace to build it. I don't yet know where I'm going to build my house, but I'm contemplating that as I do my research on design and construction. I have to decide how severe a winter and summer I really want. What my friends get in Chicago is too much of each extreme for my tastes. After living in California, I have to consider whether I want a fire season as part of my weather range too. Living in Seattle is teaching me a lot about rain. I wonder if a dome house can have a green roof?
I'd like to incorporate independent power resources for this house if I can to handle its electricity and heating needs.
I'd like to incorporate independent power resources for this house if I can to handle its electricity and heating needs.
The Beauty of the Round House
Along with a round house, I'd like to have a moss garden, a koi pond and an apiary. One of the things I'm considering is whether to do one large dome and build a loft in it, or if I should do two smaller connected domes. Over time, expanding the structure to be a partial ring of domes around a courtyard or garden could be good for expansion of space or extended family.
In addition to dome structure, I'm also fascinated by all the possibilities that come with cob houses. One option that seems to straddle dome ideas and cob materials are Earthbag homes.
In addition to dome structure, I'm also fascinated by all the possibilities that come with cob houses. One option that seems to straddle dome ideas and cob materials are Earthbag homes.
Build Your Own Dome
Designs, kits, plans, builders
The idea of building my own home really appeals to me. I'm really drawn to the idea of a round home. I remember loving Native American tipis a lot as a kid, and being inside things that aren't square just really has always felt good to me.
I really played with Legos, erector sets, and TinkerToys as a kid, and I'm really good at assembling my own IKEA furniture. The idea that I could build a house from a kit is really attractive to me.
I'm also working on what I'd like the inside of my dome to look like too!
I really played with Legos, erector sets, and TinkerToys as a kid, and I'm really good at assembling my own IKEA furniture. The idea that I could build a house from a kit is really attractive to me.
I'm also working on what I'd like the inside of my dome to look like too!
- Timberline Geodesic Domes
- Timberline Geodesic Domes make it easy, practical and affordable for people to construct their own homes.
- Natural Spaces Domes
- Natural Spaces Domes believes we can produce and live in a home causing considerably less detrimental impact to this earth. We will continue to change and alter our dome building system with this in mind.
Natural Spaces Domes is located 40 miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. We have an office dome, 3 model dome homes, a screen dome and 2 workshop domes. We invite you to visit us when you are in the area. - Good Karma Domes - Manufacturer and Builder Dome Homes
- Specializing in geodesic domes - builder and manufacturer of dome homes of all types of construction.
- AI Domes - Home
- AI Domes - Hurricane and tornado proof, super energy efficient geodesic Dome Homes.
- Dome Inc. ~ Geodesic Dome Home Builders
- geodesic dome home, dome house, hurricane house, tornado dome home, cabin, garage, jungle gym, playground, remote shelter, hunting shack and more!
- A Shelter Dome by SunRay «
- The inside of this unique shelter dome was custom designed by SunRay kelley, a natural builder who practices organic architecture.
A dome with a Squid window
The Yurt
exploring this ancient Asian tent
About Yurts
I love yurts. When it comes to temporary shelter, I think they are one of my most favorite designs. But I'm not sure they would hold up as well as a proper dome structure especially for wetter and colder weather, nor do I think they would be as climate-controlled/comfortable.
I wish I could have a yurt to take to my various gatherings instead of just a tent. Maybe Calyxa and I can do one of these one year for our Nevada adventures.
I wish I could have a yurt to take to my various gatherings instead of just a tent. Maybe Calyxa and I can do one of these one year for our Nevada adventures.
- Pacific Yurts-Original Modern Yurt Manufacturer
- Uncompromising quality and service from the original modern yurt manufacturer.
- Yurts by Rainier
- Yurts by Rainier Yurts - elegantly rustic, a Rainier Yurt will give you a feeling you won't forget. Manufactured by Rainier Industries (formerly by Nesting Bird Yurts).
- Colorado Yurt Company - Yurts, Tipis & Tents
- Though the name has changed over the years, The Colorado Yurt Company has been under the same proprietorship since its inception in 1977. Owners Dan and Emma Kigar have a simple business philosophy: success comes from making a quality product and treating people right. We made our first yurt in 1983 and it's still in use up on a mesa in southern Colorado. Some of those early buffalo hide reinforced tipis and tents are still around too. What's really satisfying is to see people who have used those structures over the years come around the shop once again-so many of them have become friends.
- Yurt Living & Source for Affordable Yurts
- Information about erecting a yurt, deck building and a source for affordable yurts.
D.I.Y.
Folks who've made web pages about their alternative housing
Also on this list is a bunch of architects and designers who make smaller or alternative housing.
- HOME BUILDING : Vacation Homes : Sedona Dome-House: Introduction : DIY Network
- Meet homeowners David Walske and Rick Goldstein and get a first-hand look at their unique geodesic-dome house in Sedona, Arizona.
- RBF Dome NFP: Preserving the geodesic dome home of Buckminster Fuller and Anne-Hewlett Fuller in Carbondale, Illinois
- RBF Dome is working to preserve the geodesic dome home of Buckminster and Anne-Hewlett Fuller in Carbondale, Illinois.
- ALCHEMY architects
- Our distinctive hands-on approach to architecture and design combines a playful design process, collaborative relationships with clients, and partnerships with builders and fabricators, to create a harmonious blend of site, building, and community.
- BlueSky MOD
- Low-Impact, High-Design Living
- Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
- How each house gets used depends on the occupant's particular needs. What one person would enjoy as a quiet studio in their backyard, another couple might choose to inhabit as a full-time residence. What some people see as the perfect weekend hideaway in the country, others will use as a beautiful free-standing addition to their existing home for accommodating an elderly parent, an adult child, guests, or as office space.
- Earthbag Building Blog
- This blog was initiated by Kelly Hart and Dr. Owen Geiger as an adjunct to their websites in an effort to bring the concept of earthbag building to the broadest possible audience.
Tipis, Teepees and Tepees
I have some friends in CA who have a really large tipi on their land, and it's a wonderful ritual space, shelter, whatever you want space. I think having a tipi for ritual use and containing guests would be great. With a wooden deck floor, a tipi can even be a great shelter in full winter.
- Nomadics Tipis
- Greetings and welcome to Nomadics Tipi Makers. Thank you for visiting us.
We have been making tipis for 35 years and we have made more than 18,000 tipis.
We unconditionally guarantee our workmanship/craftsmanship for the life of your teepee. - United Earth Tipis
- Tipis for a new generation. Gaze into the night sky from the warmth and comfort of your very own tipi.
- MANATAKA TIPIS
- Manataka Tipis feature the classic "Egg-shape" characteristic of the Cheyenne style to the rear, giving the floor its unique shape. This results in giving the owner more usable floor space than most other teepees.
- Gaia's Oasis - Our Large Tipi and more...
- My friends have a tipi on their land, and hold rituals inside it a few times a year. They had to get a new tipi as the first cover recently succumbed to wear and weather.
- THE TIPI - shelter for the Plains Indians
- The tipi was a very good shelter for the Plains Indians. It was easy to set up and take down. It was warm in winter, cool in summer and waterproof.
- Tipi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- A tipi (also teepee, tepee) is a conical tent originally made of skins or birch bark and popularized by the American Indians of the Great Plains. The dwelling was remarkably durable, and gave warmth and comfort to its inhabitants during harsh winters, was dry during heavy rains, and cool during the heat of summers.
![Untitled [Woman with baby on cradleboard] by Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library](http://static.flickr.com/6112/6329444252_2987f2a6af_s.jpg)
![Untitled [Mock Fight] by Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library](http://static.flickr.com/6106/6329188228_4223199bd3_s.jpg)
![Untitled [Blackfoot family] by Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library](http://static.flickr.com/6110/6328434639_73a6dc9555_s.jpg)
Unique Places to Stay
Domes, yurts and tipis to visit or stay in!
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: State Parks RUSTIC CABINS & YURTS
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: State Parks RUSTIC CABINS & YURTS
- Cedar House Inn & Yurts, Dahlonega, Georgia Bed & Breakfast Inn
- An eco-friendly bed & breakfast in the North Georgia mountains & wine country near Dahlonega, Ga.
- Sunshine Coast Accommodation, The Dome House, Coolum, Queensland.
- The Dome House, Coolum, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast. Luxury Bed and Breakfast B&B accommodation.
- Dome of a Home - Pensacola Beach, Florida
- Our mission is to help reduce the suffering associated with the destruction and loss of one's home in a natural disaster. We want to help promote awareness of the superior building technologies that can alleviate unnecessary losses. Many of the new technologies are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than their predecessors allowing the construction of structures while protecting and preserving the delicate balance of nature.
Our home is available for rent and we participate in many open house tours allowing others the opportunity to personally experience the benefits of monolithic domes. - Denali Dome Home Bed and Breakfast - Healy, Alaska
- Denali Dome Home is a year-round bed and breakfast, close to Denali National Park in Healy, Alaska. It is 248.8 miles from Anchorage and 110 miles from Fairbanks, and just 12 miles north of Denali National Park.
- Tipi Hire, Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk Coast, England
- Just imagine turning up at Burnham Deepdale and knowing that the most elegant and noble of homes is there waiting for you. The fire ready made, the floor laid and all you have to do is light a match, move your bags in and immediately have fun and relax.
by relache
Rae is a writer-artist-alchemist who delights in finding the extraordinary in the everyday and then sharing those moments with her readers.
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