HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE DOME OF A HOME!!!!

The Dome of a Home has had quite an exciting first year!



Most thrilling, perhaps, is the visit from the Travel Channel's film crew in May 2004. We really enjoyed the crew and had fun traipsing across the island showing them the sites. The Dome of a Home was chosen to be included in the Travel Channel's new series, Amazing Vacation Homes, airing the fall season of 2004.

Filming was quite the experience. We will see the results of several hours of filming and the magic of editing on September 13, 2004. We were told that every hour of film shot usually produces about one minute of actual footage. Wow!

Coconut's Hugging Post Restaurant (400 Pensacola Beach Road, 850-932-6887) on Pensacola Beach was gracious enough to host a beautifully prepared dinner for our guests. After a selection of amazing appetizers, each of us was presented with a feast for our eyes, as well as our taste buds. The array of delectable dishes will not be forgotten. Thank you, George Nagel, for creating a beautiful atmosphere for our very special evening.



The Dome of a Home has also caught the interest of the music video industry as a unique setting to film a video. The dome is also currently being reviewed by The Weather Channel with a possible interest in a future story. Much excitement brewing --- keep your eyes open for the Dome of a Home on your TV screen! AND ON OUR NEW T-SHIRTS, for sale very soon on the website!

The Dome of a Home is also making an appearance on the Monolithic Dome Institute's calendar next year. www.monolithicdome.com

IN A YEAR, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

I have received much correspondence concerning what we learned, what we would do again, and what we would not do again. Quite honestly, I am only now able to look back and contemplate those issues. I had been told that building a house was stressful. I thought I was prepared; I was not. It's eerily reminiscent of the difference between hearing about childbirth and experiencing it.

So, first and foremost, don't forget to include the padded cell in your floor plans! But, don't be mistaken and think the cell is only for dome home owners. While commiserating with other home owners that have built, I discovered that my sanity was not being singled out, but what I was experiencing was "the nature of the beast", as my friend so aptly stated. Please don't let me leave you with the impression that our frustrations were dome specific.



What we would do again or would do differently:

* We would hire a local contractor and sub-contract the building of the shell with a dome contractor that would "blow and go".

* Request a list of references. Interview them extensively.

* Get several bids to compare. The least expensive isn't always the best deal, and the most expensive doesn't necessarily mean it is the best quality. Interview extensively.

* Never, ever, ever pay your contractors ahead of the schedule or the final draw before the work is complete.

* Never, ever pay the contractors ahead of schedule. Did I say that already? Well, it is the most important lesson we learned and it bears repeating.

* Be aware that many estimates will be bid high just because the house is unusual, even if the shape has no bearing on the work being done. We found two extremes: People who would charge double because it is a dome and people who were thrilled to work on the project in any capacity for a reasonable fee.

* Definitely have your architect stay on the project at least until the openings are cut. Have the architect approve the openings' positions before the contractor continues.

* I would not have spent the time and effort to save items out of the old house. Saving doors, cabinets, etc cost more than just dozing with the structure and buying new.



Products we would definitely use over again:

* As of now, the exterior coating of polyurea (also known as Rhino Liner placed in truck beds) appears to be an excellent idea. It is easy to clean and seals the shell. Since it is a new technique to use in this fashion, only time will tell if this is truly a viable coating. Hope so!

* The Flex-C Trac was one of the best products we could have ever found. Without it, we would have never had the beautiful curved walls that flow throughout the dome. http://www.flexc.com Our top pick for products that really lend themselves nicely to a dome home.

* Georgia Pacific's sheetrock Dens Technology products are absolutely a must in a humid environment. They are constructed to not absorb moisture, thereby eliminating the horrible problem of mold and mildew. Even without hurricanes, the high humidity levels on the beach cause mildew to be a constant companion.
However, we have had none of the issues with our GP Dens Technology sheetrock. They even make a product to use on the exterior surfaces. Amazing products! www.gp.com/gypsum

* The cork flooring adds a coziness and warmth to the home that we truly love. Everyone that enters the home comments on the floor favorable. Of course, we love that the cork is harvested every 9 - 12 years off of trees that live over five hundred years. www.amcork.com

* The SETS Tankless hot water heaters are convenient and provide savings on your power bills because you are not paying to store hot water continuously.
The SETS units heat the water up as you need it. Their newest units eliminate the fluctuating temperature that occurred in the original units.
http://www.sets-systems.com

* Using sprayed foam as insulation between the interior walls has made the dome quiet and eliminates the sound traveling from room to room through the walls. We do not have any duct work with our air-conditioning system for sound to travel through. Thus far, we are pleased with the sound deadening qualities of this feature. And in a moist environment, sprayed foam has many advantages eluding the more conventional rolled insulation.

* Being able to adjust the temperature for each room individually is one of my favorite features in the home. The Hydro-Air units eliminated traditional duct work, which is always a challenge in the dome. And they allow the guests to keep the rooms a comfortable temperature, regardless of whether they are a Freezing Frannie or a Menopausal Mary. www.bio-radiant.com

* Tempur-Pedic mattresses are wonderful! For once, a company advertises qualities of their products that are absolutely truthful. These mattresses are heavenly and provide a sleep that is peaceful and restful. The only trouble is leaving your home and sleeping on a mattress that is not a Tempurpedic. http://www.tempurpedic.com

* I love my Hunter-Douglas blinds! Many of them drop from the top of the window down, allowing me both my privacy and a view. The patio doors have blinds that function the same way a patio door does, opening the same direction. A vast improvement in function ability over the vertical blinds, which I always find to be a pain. http://www.simply-blinds.com

* We found the Kraftmaid cabinet company wonderful to deal with.

Products we would not use again:

* The verdict is still out on the Andersen Windows. Their representatives misrepresented the heat gain and other aspects of the windows we selected. (At the time, Florida had incorporated new wind codes and the selection was limited.) As of now, we are in negotiations. Because we loved the Andersen windows in our previous home, we chose to use them again. Although we had a great product before, we are not pleased with the windows we were advised to buy. And I am not pleased with Andersen's current stance on our situation. Stay tuned. Final verdict: I would not use Andersen windows again.

* The Metal-Shield paint we used in the garage did not adhere to the metal and we have a rusting situation. Not an unexpected situation on the beach. We did have to scrape peeling paint off and paint over with a different type of paint. The company seems to think we got a bad batch of paint. That's too bad because it would be an amazing product to have on the beach if it was effective.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS AND CLIENTS

The last year has been an amazing journey. We have communicated with thousands of people about the dome. There seems to be an abundant interest in this type of structure for a wide variety of reasons. I want to thank all of you that have written, called, or stopped by to express your support. To say it was an adventure would be a gross understatement. All of the highs and lows have been worth it as we see minds expanding and possibilities opening as people are exposed to the dome.

We opened our domicile (pun intended) to over 2000 people last year with tour attendance and the clients that rented the dome for their vacation. The response has been extremely positive and makes it all worthwhile.

Having the Travel Channel deem the house interesting enough to include on their new series, Amazing Vacation Homes, was also a tremendous boost to the morale.

Again, thank you all for your support and interest.

STEVE BLAIR

A few years ago, I saw a picture that literally took my breath away. Through the years, I have thought of this piece of art and wished I could find a way to get a larger print than the ones I had seen available. I was Christmas shopping and saw a print of a mermaid that I thought would be perfect for the dome. However, once again, I needed a larger print. When I asked the owner of the store if a larger version were available, her reply was, "The artist is in the store now, let's go ask him."



After communicating with Steve my desire to have a larger print, I invited him to come to the dome and help me determine which size would best fit the intended area. Fortunately, Steve is a local artist and was available to accommodate my request. We agreed to get in touch when the holiday craziness had passed.

As I was moving items around to ready the dome for the rental season, I found the print that I had adored for years. Imagine my stunned surprise when I turned the print over to find that the artist was Steve Blair. Excitedly, I called Steve and described his artwork that had captured my imagination beyond any other art I had ever seen. He brought his portfolio over and I fell in love with his art.

I was drawn to his images and we decided to place several pieces in the dome, available for the clients to purchase. Now, when a client is as captivated by Steve's work, there is an option to purchase right then and there. Think of it as a mini-gallery in the dome. What a great souvenir to take home --- beautiful art from a local artist.

Steve has created many, many beautiful and stirring pictures. Visit his website to see a full collection.
www.crescent-studio.com
850-932-3954 phone contact
flababy@aol.com email address


THOMAS JACKSON

Thomas is a local artist that will paint his beautiful scenes on virtually any medium from walls to furniture to garage doors. Underneath the dome, there is 2000 SF of party space. Knowing it would be an area used for parties and gatherings, we knew having Thomas paint beach scenes on the walls would enhance the area immensely. We were right!



Thomas painted the scenes on our walls free-handed. His speed was beyond amazing. Mark was painting a white base coat for Thomas and literally could not keep ahead of him. Thomas would have to wait on Mark to roll the white paint on before he could continue his free-flowing style of mural.

On April 19, 2004 Mollye Barrows and her morning show associates from our local ABC affiliate came out to film the "finished product". Last year, Mollye included the dome's building progress and technology occasionally on the news. This was the first time she had seen it as a completed entity. It was a huge success and the morning show crew is excited about including it in their
Pensacola Beach special. Much of it will be live on May 21, 2004 on the morning show. Mark will be explaining the various aspects of the home live on ABC that morning.
We are grateful for their enthusiasm, interest, and the inclusion in the special!

Ever notice how the smallest of choices, or what you perceive to be non-important decisions, can irrevocably change your life? Opening the mail in March 2001 seemed to be one of those non-events, until my husband decided to go through the “throw away stack” of junk mail. We had received a letter from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program informing us of our eligibility to submit a grant proposal if we were interested in mitigating further flood damage to our home. If accepted, the grant would help our house more effectively resist further flood damage. This could be accomplished in a variety of ways including raising the existing home or building a new structure. I threw the letter away because it seemed like too much trouble. As I am the paperwork guru in the house, I wasn’t eager to wade through the inevitable red tape required to create and submit a grant proposal. But, my husband thought it warranted further investigation.
And as they say, “The rest is history.”



Now, after two years of blood, sweat, and tears of pain and joy, the Dome of a Home
( aka Serenity by the Sea) is born. Labor pain is a very accurate synonym of the building process: pain, frustration, tears, fears, and ultimately joy. Times where you believe the painful process will never end dominate during the “contract”ions.

We learned so much from the experience. First and foremost, I learned trash should stay trash and it should be immediately discarded before hubby makes it home.
Seriously, the lessons learned could fill the proverbial book of do’s and don’ts. Our experiences made clear the necessity and importance of being involved in the decision making process. Trusting others to create your dream is a major mistake, even if they claim to be professionals. Regardless of degrees, licenses, promises, and tall tales, the bottom line is that you must educate yourself. (Oh, and don’t forget to plan floor space for the padded room you will need once you have finished. Straightjacket optional)

After spending a couple of months away, we recently returned to the dome. With fresh eyes and a rejuvenated heart, we could appreciate what the last two years of work had produced. Several observers have also expressed their appreciation for the diligence and fortitude required to build the dome. Many said they had been concerned about the aesthetics of the dome and were very pleasantly surprised at its beauty.


With several storms under our belt by now, 2006, I am even more convinced that we did the right thing when we bulldozed our previous home to build the Dome of a Home. I know that Ivan, 2004, would have definitely washed our home away, as it did several of our neighbor's homes. Even with all of the heartache, tears of pain, and mountains of frustration, we are still glad we took the leap and seized the opportunity to build a house more suitable for the beach than our last.

The most complicated issue requiring the most vigorous exertion of mental energy was the heating/cooling system in the dome. Our overall design utilizes solar energy, geo-thermal energy and the 500 tons of thermal mass inherent in the shell that acts as an energy battery. Because of the intense humidity on the beach, the duct work in our previous home was a constant source of mold and mildew. Wanting to avoid that dilemma again, we researched and found the Hydro-Air System. Unlike conventional systems that heat or cool by forcing air through large, bulky ducting, hydronic air systems deliver total comfort without any ducting whatsoever. Instead of ducting, insulated Pex plumbing pipe delivers 42 degree chilled water to our 9 individual Hydro-Air units. Hydro-Air utilizes small, efficient hydronic fan coil wall units in each room that distributes cooling energy from a geo-thermal unit or a standard outdoor air conditioning unit. Hydro-Air’s owner, Tom, was very helpful in our unusual endeavor in marrying the Hydro-Air units with a geo-thermal system. Loren, Hydro-Air’s engineer, calculated what would be the most efficient tonnage (4 tons) for the dome. It will be interesting how often we actually need to use the system. www.bio-radiant.com



For its energy saving qualities, we chose to use a Florida Heat Pump geo-thermal unit. Florida Heat Pump was founded in 1969 with the goal of producing the finest water source heat pumps to conserve the Earth’s energy and to protect the environment. Florida Heat Pumps can reduce your heating and cooling costs by 30% to 60%. Unlike other systems that have to create heat to warm the pool, this system takes the same excess energy from the house or earth and transfers it to the pool. A thermostat regulates the temperature of the pool, making this one of the most efficient and effective ways to heat a swimming pool.



In the nine years we have lived on Pensacola Beach, we have bought 4 air-conditioning units. Storm surges and salt air reduce an outdoor unit’s lifetime significantly. The system we are installing has the unit’s components in the ground or inside the house. Adverse environmental conditions will no longer affect the longevity of the unit to such a dramatic extent. The design also reduces outdoor noise and air pollution – always a plus!

Florida Heat Pump developed the Vertical Energy System (Closed Loop) that we used. www.fhp-mfg.com This system utilizes the natural thermal properties of the earth by circulating water or an antifreeze solution through a closed loop network of plastic pipe that is inserted into vertical wells. The loops cool the freon in the Florida Heat Pump. The Florida Heat Pump then chills the air that is run through the Hydro Air units. We required 7 wells at a depth of 250’ to run the nine-loop Hydro-Air units. The nine Hydro-Air units cool using 6 zoned thermostats. The ground at 250’ is a fairly constant temperature of 70 degrees. Conventional air units use a fan to move ambient temperature air across the condenser coils of the air-conditioner to cool the freon from a hot gas to a cool liquid. Alternatively, geo-thermal units use the constant ground temperature to bring water or antifreeze across the condensing coils to change the freon from a hot gas to a cool liquid. Because air temperature can exceed 105 degrees and ground temperature remains a fairly constant 70 degrees, GEO-THERMAL IS 300 TIMES AS EFFICIENT THAN THE CONVENTIONAL AIR UNITS .



Dave Phillips, President of Energy Design Corporation, provided the geo-thermal design , the Florida Heat Pump and AquaCal equipment needed for our home and pool. The Florida Heat Pump provided the cooling unit for the home, while the AquaCal equipment will be used to heat the swimming pool when necessary. With commercial and residential experience, Dave Phillips was prepared when he realized that Mark wanted to combine a geo-thermal system with the Hydro-Air units. He recommended we contact Bob Blythe, owner and engineer of Blythe Engineering, to help design and coordinate the systems. Mr. Blythe was familiar with hydronic systems and said this choice would be the most efficient, least expensive, and best choice for this particular application. After Dave Phillips had our wells prepared, Gary Mooneyham, owner of Mooneyham Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. will complete the installation between the geothermal and hydronic units.

Another significant advantage of each room having its own Hydro-Air unit is the reduction in humidity. Instead of having one unit removing the humidity from a single source, each room has its own unit that will be reducing the ever present humidity. A wonderful solution for homes built in humid environments.

Holographic fireplaces are the source of heat in the dome. Each room has its own fireplace, capable of heat and flames or just romantic flames in warmer weather.

Utilizing knowledge from the last home he remodeled, Mark designed the openings in the dome according to the movement of the sun across the heavens. The openings and windows in the dome are designed to receive solar gain during the winter. But, during the summer months there is no direct sunlight in contact with the windows to introduce unnecessary heat into the dome.

With the tremendous amount of human energy exerted to design this system, we are glad it will be saving energy on another realm.

With great enthusiasm, I applaud the genius of being able to adjust the temperature in each room separately. I only heat and cool the rooms we are using; I don't have to freeze in my room if someone else in the house is having hot flashes. I love the Hydro-Air Systems. I can really feel the reduced humidity level in the Dome. Since each Hydro-Air System unit removes humidity from air, I essentially have a dehumidifier in each room. The air is much easier to breathe in the dome than it was in our previous house.

The geo thermal system that chills the water for the Hydro-Air System has been a pain. With limited service experience in the area, we have to wait for repairs longer than for a conventional unit. Same is true when we need parts. After the hurricanes, we had to replace all of the pumps because damage in the line allowed sand to enter the system. And the list goes on, but overall, I think we would use this system again.

With the Hydro-Air system, we did not have to use ducting throughout the house. It's another favorite home for the mold and mildew. Without having to use space for the duct work, we had more options for interesting angles and ceilings. Duct work is a challenge to incorporate into the dome because there are limited options for hiding it. Hydro-Air units use chilled water, so we only had plumbing pipe to contend with.