My Dream House
My Dream of a Round House
So I've got this idea that I'm going to build a house someday, and it's going to be a round house. I've been investigating dome houses, EarthShips, yurts and tipis as part of my research, and thought I'd share it with you.
My latest interests include mobile micro-houses, sometimes just called "tiny houses" but I'm also fascinated by cob and Earthbag houses not to mention the various uses for converted shipping containers. My family is working on finding some land, and as the kid who spent way too much time with two chairs and a blanket playing "fort," I really feel like it's up to me to put some of my childhood enthusiasm to a more practical use.
What Type Of Round House Do You Like?
I sort of think that there might be a spot for each type of structure on my land eventually. Each one has certain structural uses for which it is best. What do you think about round houses? Do you have a favorite?
My favorite type of round house is...
Books about Round Houses - Domes, tipis, yurts and other round shelters
Before you build a house you have to have someplace to build it. I don't yet know where I'm going to build my house, but I'm contemplating that as I do my research on design and construction. I have to decide how severe a winter and summer I really want. What my friends get in Chicago is too much of each extreme for my tastes. After living in California, I have to consider whether I want a fire season as part of my weather range too. Living in Seattle is teaching me a lot about rain. I wonder if a dome house can have a green roof?
I'd like to incorporate independent power resources for this house if I can to handle its electricity and heating needs.
A Round House Compound
I'd also like to have a moss garden, a koi pond and an apiary as part of my round house homestead. Over time, expanding the structure to be a partial ring of domes around a courtyard or garden could be good for expansion of space or extended family. I've also seen an Earthbag design that is like a doughnut, with the house being a ring around a garden/courtyard.
Build Your Own Dome - Designs, kits, plans, builders
The idea of building my own home really appeals to me. I'm really drawn to the idea of a round home. I remember loving Native American tipis a lot as a kid, and being inside things that aren't square just really has always felt good to me.
I really played with Legos, erector sets, and TinkerToys as a kid, and I'm really good at assembling my own IKEA furniture. The idea that I could build a house from a kit is really attractive to me.
I'm also working on what I'd like the inside of my dome to look like too!
- Timberline Geodesic Domes
Timberline Geodesic Domes make it easy, practical and affordable for people to construct their own homes. - Natural Spaces Domes
Natural Spaces Domes believes we can produce and live in a home causing considerably less detrimental impact to this earth. We will continue to change and alter our dome building system with this in mind. Natural Spaces Domes is located 40 miles nor - Good Karma Domes - Manufacturer and Builder Dome Homes
Specializing in geodesic domes - builder and manufacturer of dome homes of all types of construction. - AI Domes - Home
AI Domes - Hurricane and tornado proof, super energy efficient geodesic Dome Homes. - Dome Inc. ~ Geodesic Dome Home Builders
geodesic dome home, dome house, hurricane house, tornado dome home, cabin, garage, jungle gym, playground, remote shelter, hunting shack and more! - A Shelter Dome by SunRay «
The inside of this unique shelter dome was custom designed by SunRay kelley, a natural builder who practices organic architecture.
A dome with a Squid window
About Yurts
I love yurts. When it comes to temporary shelter, I think they are one of my most favorite designs. But I'm not sure they would hold up as well as a proper dome structure especially for wetter and colder weather, nor do I think they would be as climate-controlled/comfortable.
I wish I could have a yurt to take to my various gatherings instead of just a tent. Maybe Calyxa and I can do one of these one year for our Nevada adventures.
- Pacific Yurts-Original Modern Yurt Manufacturer
Uncompromising quality and service from the original modern yurt manufacturer. - Yurts by Rainier
Yurts by Rainier Yurts - elegantly rustic, a Rainier Yurt will give you a feeling you won't forget. Manufactured by Rainier Industries (formerly by Nesting Bird Yurts). - Colorado Yurt Company - Yurts, Tipis & Tents
Though the name has changed over the years, The Colorado Yurt Company has been under the same proprietorship since its inception in 1977. Owners Dan and Emma Kigar have a simple business philosophy: success comes from making a quality product and tre - Yurt Living & Source for Affordable Yurts
Information about erecting a yurt, deck building and a source for affordable yurts.
D.I.Y. - Folks who've made web pages about their alternative housing
Also on this list is a bunch of architects and designers who make smaller or alternative housing.
- HOME BUILDING : Vacation Homes : Sedona Dome-House: Introduction : DIY Network
Meet homeowners David Walske and Rick Goldstein and get a first-hand look at their unique geodesic-dome house in Sedona, Arizona. - RBF Dome NFP: Preserving the geodesic dome home of Buckminster Fuller and Anne-Hewlett Fuller in Car
RBF Dome is working to preserve the geodesic dome home of Buckminster and Anne-Hewlett Fuller in Carbondale, Illinois. - ALCHEMY architects
Our distinctive hands-on approach to architecture and design combines a playful design process, collaborative relationships with clients, and partnerships with builders and fabricators, to create a harmonious blend of site, building, and community. - BlueSky MOD
Low-Impact, High-Design Living - Tumbleweed Tiny House Company
How each house gets used depends on the occupant's particular needs. What one person would enjoy as a quiet studio in their backyard, another couple might choose to inhabit as a full-time residence. What some people see as the perfect weekend hideawa - Earthbag Building Blog
This blog was initiated by Kelly Hart and Dr. Owen Geiger as an adjunct to their websites in an effort to bring the concept of earthbag building to the broadest possible audience.
Videos of Round Houses - domes, yurts and tipis
Tipis, Teepees and Tepees
I have some friends in CA who have a really large tipi on their land, and it's a wonderful ritual space, shelter, whatever you want space. I think having a tipi for ritual use and containing guests would be great. With a wooden deck floor, a tipi can even be a great shelter in full winter.
- Nomadics Tipis
Greetings and welcome to Nomadics Tipi Makers. Thank you for visiting us. We have been making tipis for 35 years and we have made more than 18,000 tipis. We unconditionally guarantee our workmanship/craftsmanship for the life of your teepee. - United Earth Tipis
Tipis for a new generation. Gaze into the night sky from the warmth and comfort of your very own tipi. - MANATAKA TIPIS
Manataka Tipis feature the classic "Egg-shape" characteristic of the Cheyenne style to the rear, giving the floor its unique shape. This results in giving the owner more usable floor space than most other teepees. - Gaia's Oasis - Our Large Tipi and more...
My friends have a tipi on their land, and hold rituals inside it a few times a year. They had to get a new tipi as the first cover recently succumbed to wear and weather. - THE TIPI - shelter for the Plains Indians
The tipi was a very good shelter for the Plains Indians. It was easy to set up and take down. It was warm in winter, cool in summer and waterproof. - Tipi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A tipi (also teepee, tepee) is a conical tent originally made of skins or birch bark and popularized by the American Indians of the Great Plains. The dwelling was remarkably durable, and gave warmth and comfort to its inhabitants during harsh winters
Unique Places to Stay - Domes, yurts and tipis to visit or stay in!
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: State Parks RUSTIC CABINS & YURTS
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: State Parks RUSTIC CABINS & YURTS - Cedar House Inn & Yurts, Dahlonega, Georgia Bed & Breakfast Inn
An eco-friendly bed & breakfast in the North Georgia mountains & wine country near Dahlonega, Ga. - Sunshine Coast Accommodation, The Dome House, Coolum, Queensland.
The Dome House, Coolum, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast. Luxury Bed and Breakfast B&B accommodation. - Dome of a Home - Pensacola Beach, Florida
Our mission is to help reduce the suffering associated with the destruction and loss of one's home in a natural disaster. We want to help promote awareness of the superior building technologies that can alleviate unnecessary losses. Many of the new t - Denali Dome Home Bed and Breakfast - Healy, Alaska
Denali Dome Home is a year-round bed and breakfast, close to Denali National Park in Healy, Alaska. It is 248.8 miles from Anchorage and 110 miles from Fairbanks, and just 12 miles north of Denali National Park. - Tipi Hire, Deepdale Farm, Burnham Deepdale, Norfolk Coast, England
Just imagine turning up at Burnham Deepdale and knowing that the most elegant and noble of homes is there waiting for you. The fire ready made, the floor laid and all you have to do is light a match, move your bags in and immediately have fun and rel
