Dome sweet dome
House gawking: Check out this geodesic dome home in Berne. The house is listed for $299k with Anne Lafferty Realty:
Outstanding Geo-Desic-Dome Home located on 17.4 Acres...This contemporary home is known for its heat efficiency and has a unique layout which includes Large Eat in Kitchen, Living Room, Media Room,Possible 4 BR's or 3 BR plus den/office, 2 Baths, Laundry Room and Full Basement with Bar and an additional office/play room as well as storage and work area. Nature Lover's Paradise great for Hunting, Cross Country Skiing, Fishing and more...minutes from Thacher Park, Cole Hill Forest, and Thompson Lake.
The idea of using the geodesic dome as a building approach is about a century old -- and it was popularized by Buckminster Fuller in the 1950s. And while they didn't exactly catch on as a mass market design, the idea's persisted because the domes are lightweight, strong, and can be very energy efficient. From a How Stuff Works article about the domes:
The benefits seemed obvious. Spheres enclose a maximum of space with a minimum of materials, and they don't require interior supports. Their aesthetic appeal for many people is undeniable; the high ceilings and open feeling can make them attractive, and it's easy to build lofts inside for partial second-floor space.
The spherical design results in highly efficient and effective air circulation in both summer and winter. Less surface area makes these buildings less susceptible to temperature changes, and thus, inexpensive to heat and cool as compared to rectangular homes. The aerodynamic exterior means cold and warm air flows around the structure instead of forcing its way into the interior.
[via @nicorreia]
photo: Anne Lafferty Realty
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I had no idea there was a Buckminster Fuller dome in the Capital Region! Many decades ago, I attended a school in the Adirondacks that had at least 4 geodesic domes used for classroom space, a library, and even housing. It was very unusual.
... said Ellen on Mar 13, 2015 at 8:42 AM | link