A striking, custom-built domed home in the western part of North Carolina has impressed viewers on Reddit.
An image of the home, captured in a snow-covered forest setting, was shared a week ago in a post on Reddit by user Bvcrude. The title says, "Here's my geodesic dome," a globe-shaped design structure formed with interlocking triangles.
The unique home was built using a 30-foot kit from Pacific Domes, a manufacturer based in Oregon dedicated to "conscientious, energy-efficient living," according to its website.
The Reddit user, who preferred to not disclose his name, told Newsweek that his geodesic dome, which houses three people, "stays plenty warm in the winter, though we may add a wood-burning stove next year to add a little more warmth."
Setting everything up for the dome housing, from the septic tank work to burying power lines and digging a well, was completed "all in over 100k [U.S. dollars]. But we got a million dollar view. Worth it," the poster said in a later comment.
The Geodesic Dome: 'The House of the Future'
The first geodesic dome was the Zeiss Planetarium, which was constructed by German engineer Walther Bauersfeld in 1926, according to Guinness World Records.
However, Buckminster Fuller, the 20th-century American inventor who spent much of his career looking for ways to improve human shelter, is credited with having further developed its design.
In 1944, during a housing shortage in the U.S., government officials were aware that Fuller had developed a prototype single-family dwelling that could be produced rapidly and be "installed" anywhere, similar to how a telephone is installed.
An official was said to have flown to Wichita, Kansas, to take a look at this house, which was built by Fuller and manufacturer Beech Aircraft. He reportedly gasped, "My God! This is the house of the future," according to the Buckminster Fuller Institute,
The geodesic dome, which is based on Fuller's principle of "doing more with less," encloses the largest volume of interior space with the least amount of surface area, which helps save on materials and costs.
It is "one of the most efficient interior atmospheres for human dwellings because air and energy are allowed to circulate without obstruction," the Buckminster Fuller Institute explains.
"This enables heating and cooling to occur naturally. Geodesic shelters have been built all around the world in different climates and temperatures and still they have proven to be the most efficient human shelter one can find," the institute says.
'Cross Between a Spaceship and a Cabin'
The homeowner in the Reddit post said his geodesic dome sits on an engineered deck around five feet off the ground. Equipped with an insulating blanket and heated/cooled by a 12,000 BTU mini-split air conditioner, the dome "makes for a comfortable living space," he wrote in the post.
The dome features a floor area of 695 square feet, while it has a volume of 7,000 cubic feet and reaches a height of 15 feet, according to the Pacific Domes website.
The custom-built home has been praised by users on Reddit.
User diablofantastico said: "100k is not bad at all for a house!!! And now you have the infrastructure, so if you want to build a frame house, you're all set! You should also have some good resale value with that infrastructure, so you could recoup if needed! Awesome!"
Wytch78 wrote: "Geodesic ol time Bucky Fuller stick house. It's like a cross between a spaceship and a cabin."
SSBUdoriyah said: "Looks like all that concept art for mars colonies..."
User gilligan1050 simply noted: "That view."
Illustrious-Ice6336 wrote: "You should be proud. Fantastic view and great job."
CRAkraken said: "That's super cool. I know a dome is a super strong shape for a shelter/house but that's really cool to see it work. Awesome. Congrats."
Some, however, pointed out the potential downsides of the dome housing, such as Wytch78 who wrote: "I have a dome home (like an actual house house) and the open concept aspect is SO loud. No privacy. I'm actually kind of over it."
And TheBluestBerries said: "Geodesic domes are infamous for moisture problems."
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Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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