After constructing the Dome check-fixture (shown on a previous post) I decided to go all-out and make a foam model of the structure.
I also wanted to know how many 6″ by 8″ by 8″ hollow cinderblocks it would take to construct the dome.
An upper layer block sometimes needed to be shortened in order to prevent the vertical joints from lining up with the seam below, weakening the structure.
At this point I assessed it would take about 1200 blocks to make the dome shell. Seeing I came this far I decided to make an interior I had in mind.
I always felt a central structure using traditional construction materials and methods would be best for this little cabin.
With the upper and lower floor combined, the square footage comes to about 250 square feet of usable interior space.
The living room couch (with storage underneath) would be over 6 feet long to act as an extra sleeping bed.
The upper bedroom isle was placed over the living room couch to save space. The Bathroom door edge conforms to the dome wall angle.
There would be just enough room for a small stackable washing machine/dryer, 28″ by 28″ shower stall and toilet. A cloths folding table folds down from the door.
The back to back kitchen and bathroom wall house all of the plumbing and electrical wires. To save space the kitchen sink would double as the bathroom sink.
The slender dining table could conform to the curved outer wall and possibly seat three or four people.
I intentionally did not elaborate on what shape the windows could be other than round, but I did punch a few holes to represent possible window locations.
The four foot wide bed is small but cozy. On the right is a small closet. There would be storage drawers under the bed and ample shelving around the bed.
The center skylight could be a three foot diameter horizontal window, or a six or eight sided shallow cone to better repel water and the weight of snow.
The technique of stacked cinderblock using lite amounts of cement to join the blocks and filling the hollows with sand has been known to make the exterior walls
act like a whole Trombe wall. And, Unlike Earth-bag construction which does save a bit on materials, is very heavy in hard manual labor. Also, you end up with
a lumpy interior and exterior surface which takes multiple coats of fill and facing material unlike the almost smooth surface of this technique.
Warning:
If anyone out there has an itch to try my idea, please contact me first. I will not be held responsible for the injury or death of anyone attempting to use this building technique. Your plans should be ran passed an approved
engineer before going thru with the build.