METAMORPHOSIS: Building the Dome of a Home

Recommendations

Info

that hold the balloons‟ pieces together are significantly raised. Paint does not have enough mils to cover the seams and is a constant maintenance nightmare. We did not feel it enhanced the appearance of the dome in any way. Another issue that diminishes the cosmetic appearance is the mildew that all domes seem to grow like a dormant rock covered in moss. Mildew inhibitive additives to the paint appeared to be an ineffective solution. Even with our coating, we experienced some growth. But because the coating is so slick, it inhibits the rapid growth of mildew and is very easy to clean off with a power washer. Mentally scanning the options routinely used to coat the dome‟s exterior, we found none that would accomplish our goal of being both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance. While rinsing out the bed of my pickup truck, Mark asked me if the spray liner came in different colors. A few phone calls later, we knew what we would use. The sprayed polyurea coating could be matched to any color. I selected several whitish paint chips from the local hardware store and headed to the non-developed area of pristine beach. The color that lost itself in our sugar white beaches and would help the dome blend into the environment, so to speak would be the winner. Just as a dune is a natural, organic shape found on our beach, we wanted Serenity of the Sea to become part of the beach environment. The only reason it looks a bit bizarre is because of the square houses built around it. No, really… think about it. If the dome was the only structure on the beach, your eye could easily overlook it as just another dune. Biomorphic architecture philosophy shows that it is the square shape that is out of place on the undulating beach. Curves are everywhere in the natural world, they are soothing to look at, and one of the strongest shapes in nature. 63
The polyurea coating performed exactly as we had hoped. It was easy to clean, minimized the balloon‟s seam lines, and was attractive. Then, in 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused some cosmetic damage to the exterior of the dome. We made the repairs to the shell with foam and plaster. Then, on top of the remaining polyurea liner and repairs, we had stucco applied. We kept the liner in place because it makes a great vapor barrier and UV protective layer. The stucco covered up the imperfections in the dome's repairs, masked the seams even more and gave Serenity a "softer" look and feel to her. We love the new exterior. The stucco coating enhances the illusion of sand we wanted to capture. If we were building again, we would still coat the dome with the polyurea liner and then choose an exterior coating to be applied on top of it. FLEX-C TRAC We were eager to integrate curved walls into the home, but were wary of the added complications this would entail. When Mark mentioned his desire for curved walls to our designer, Mr. Bissett, he offered FLEX-C TRAC (www.flexc.com) as the perfect solution. If ever there was a product developed to create original, artistic walls and ceilings, this is it! 64
Page 2 and 3:
Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ..
Page 4 and 5:
Our mission is to help reduce the s
Page 6 and 7:
2 HURRICANE IVAN Surviving the Stor
Page 8 and 9:
Fortunately, before I had left for
Page 10 and 11:
ack on the island in our homes; end
Page 12 and 13:
for the entire house, so we all sta
Page 14 and 15: They slept in the parking lot of th
Page 16 and 17: esistant than its conventional neig
Page 18 and 19: 3 Mother Nature's Influence in My L
Page 20 and 21: The winds spawned an F-1 tornado th
Page 22 and 23: Two hours before the intense impact
Page 24 and 25: The kitchen trash. 4 HUMBLE BEGINNI
Page 26 and 27: The cost of submitting the applicat
Page 28 and 29: equired building codes for the coas
Page 30 and 31: 6 METAMORPHOSIS The Dome Home would
Page 32 and 33: In utter shock, I stopped my sobbin
Page 34 and 35: 7 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN The
Page 36 and 37: I compiled our wish list into a sev
Page 38 and 39: VALERIE A Tribute to our Friend Jon
Page 40 and 41: asked him to split his energy betwe
Page 42 and 43: dangerous boats of debris. Not a si
Page 44 and 45: 10 TO HURRICANE HELL AND BACK THE U
Page 46 and 47: arrange for transportation to the n
Page 48 and 49: SURVIVOR OR VICTIM As Katrina looms
Page 50 and 51: trenches helping in innumerable way
Page 52 and 53: I have learned to be mostly unattac
Page 54 and 55: As I edit this book, I find there i
Page 56 and 57: Although our counties are now suppo
Page 58 and 59: Even with all of the heartache, tea
Page 60 and 61: The SEAPILE piling is placed into t
Page 62 and 63: The balloon created quite a stir on
Page 66 and 67: FLEX-C TRAC, solved our dilemma and
Page 68 and 69: PRODUCTS SELECTED FOR THE COASTAL E
Page 70 and 71: DENSGLASS GOLD® EXTERIOR GUARD Den
Page 72 and 73: With its double pane, glass block i
Page 74 and 75: Another significant advantage of ea
Page 76 and 77: We used foam insulation throughout
Page 78 and 79: frustrated with my family, I rememb
Page 80 and 81: usiness to be managed." Never have
Page 82 and 83: Architecture Magazine: Dome Home Su
Page 84 and 85: 14 THE THUNDER ROLLS The thunder ro
Page 86: The Skybird Lodge would address the
show all

METAMORPHOSIS: Building the Dome of a Home

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?