Hurricane Ivan was truly Ivan, the Terrible. Never have I seen such devastation on such a broad, massive scale. It is terrifying to see Mother Nature's power rage with such an amazing fury.



However, today, Mark and I must count our blessings. I actually got to visit the Dome of a Home for the first time after the storm. We went there with the National Geographic film crew for a story they are airing in October. My first sight of the dome took my breath away as I viewed her scarred face. She had been so beautiful with her elegant staircases and flowing fountain. Yet, her wounds are superficial, not structural.

The dome survived structurally exactly as she was designed to do. We have no structural damage, just cosmetic. The staircases broke away, as code demands they be designed to do. The concrete floor of the garage broke up and washed away, as designed. The pool is completely buried, no idea where it is, nor the fence that surrounded the yard. Of course, the landscaping has been decimated.

The dome- she performed beautifully, exactly as she was engineered to do. As she protected Mark and the MSNBC news crew through Hurricane Ivan, she became the sanctuary for some stranded on the island. Ironically, many of the news crew teams that were inland had a much rougher night than those sleeping through the storm in Serenity by the Sea.

We have so much to tell, so many pictures to share, so many stories to express, so much gratitude to give. We are overwhelmed with the media attention, the encouraging emails, and the inquisitive minds. We are grateful.

As you can imagine, my power has been sporadic and high speed internet is not available yet. Please be patient and we will be continually updating the information about Hurricane Ivan. Mark is dictating his experience to me, pictures and links are arriving by email daily, and I am trying desperately to pass the information along to my amazing webmaster, Greg Williams, at www.veropa.com

We are revamping the website, so stay tuned for Mark's story, pictures, and media links. The media has been very responsive: MSNBC, Discovery, National Geographic, NBC, Good Morning America, Today Show, Nightly News, Scarborough Country, Inside Edition, ABC affiliates, Travel Channel, and numerous newspapers and radio stations. We are so glad the message is getting to the masses about these storm resistant homes.

Stay tuned, lots to share as soon as the technology gets me back up and running.

- Valerie Sigler

Posted on: 03/01/2005
I write this on October 11, 2006 very grateful that it has been a much quieter storm season than predicted. I cannot believe the difference in the stress level because I haven't been on a daily storm watch.

Kerry Sanders, correspondent for NBC news stayed at the Dome of a Home with a news crew and owner Mark Sigler. An excerpt from his log of events is below.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6028690/

Eerie calm on Pensacola Beach after the storm
Structures built to newer standards seem to fare well

REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK

By Kerry Sanders
Correspondent
NBC News

Updated: 2:48 p.m. CT Sept 17, 2004
PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. - It was an amazing sunrise Friday morning on Pensacola Beach. The day was remarkably calm on this barrier island that was thrashed by Hurricane Ivan’s high winds and enormous waves less than 18 hours ago.

Walking on the beach one could see that Ivan deposited tons of new shells on the shore. But, like so many of the homes here, the shells were broken and crushed by the hurricane.



It was also rather eerie. A lone alarm in a partially destroyed home was beeping. Aside from that it was silent.

Holding down the fort at the “Dome Home”

The only people here are the NBC News team, Mark Sigler, the owner of the “Dome Home,” and Mike Theiss, a Weather Channel cameraman, who found our secure location after the storm.

Theiss rode the storm out in a building about a mile away. He said it was a miserable night and now he's moved in with us.

I would like to suggest we are roughing it, but relatively speaking, we are not.
The Master Suite has a hot tub inside so we are using that water in buckets to shower. We brought a generator to operate our TV equipment, so we are able to charge a satellite phone to call out. We also have a camping stove - which means we are able to scramble eggs for breakfast.

The major challenge is getting the television stories out. Because our electronic link is not working, we have to get our tapes out "the old fashioned way” and walk them out.
Producer AJ Goodwin trekked a hero's march Thursday in 50 mph gusts in order to hand carry tapes to the mainland.

She made it past downed power lines, spots of quick sand and a sinking sun. The last part of her trip was with an Escambia Sheriff' deputy, who gave her a ride across the 3-mile bridge to Pensacola. For the moment, that's a one-way trip. Once you leave, you can't come back.

Newer building standards seem to have stood test

A Coast Guard chopper just flew by. It was the third chopper to fly by Friday morning. No doubt teams are trying to access the extent of damage and if there are survivors who need emergency help.

In Pensacola three hospitals were damaged. Roofs were ripped from homes and hotels. A bridge over Escambia Bay was cut in two and a tractor-trailer dangled over the break.

But for those residents who live near the beach and want to come back, I can report some good news: it appears the homes built to the newer hurricane standards fared well.

The stairwells to the stilt homes washed away as intended, and some of the shingles ripped off, but the interiors should be intact. The shutters held. The foundations did not wash away.

It appears that when building standards are set and followed -- the damage from a storm like Ivan can be minimized.

Kerry Sanders is an NBC News correspondent on assignment in Pensacola Beach, Fla. for Hurricane Ivan coverage. For more information about the "Dome Home" see: www.domeofahome.com

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!