An innovative architect sold on the Monolithic Dome’s versatility

Rick Crandall — Since the early 1990s, Architect Rick Crandall, head of Crandall Design Group in Mesa, AZ, has been designing a full range of Monolithic Domes. The pictures that follow include some of those projects.

Rick Crandall — Since the early 1990s, Architect Rick Crandall, head of Crandall Design Group in Mesa, AZ, has been designing a full range of Monolithic Domes. The pictures that follow include some of those projects.

Park University Sports Event Center — Park University has twin domes with a 130-foot diameter and a connecting corridor for a two-story office complex.

Park University Sports Event Center — Park University has twin domes with a 130-foot diameter and a connecting corridor for a two-story office complex.

Crandall Design Group Headquarters — Its courtyard entrance and conventional additions lend visual interest to this Monolithic Dome office complex and design center.

Crandall Design Group Headquarters — Its courtyard entrance and conventional additions lend visual interest to this Monolithic Dome office complex and design center.

Grand Meadow School — In 2001, Grand Meadow ISD in Minnesota celebrated a ground breaking for its new school campus with five Monolithic Domes.

Grand Meadow School — In 2001, Grand Meadow ISD in Minnesota celebrated a ground breaking for its new school campus with five Monolithic Domes.

Crenosphere Rendition — This 400-foot Crenosphere could house an indoor football field. Rick believes that Crenospheres are the next logical stretch in the evolution of Monolithic Domes.

Crenosphere Rendition — This 400-foot Crenosphere could house an indoor football field. Rick believes that Crenospheres are the next logical stretch in the evolution of Monolithic Domes.

Sports Complex — Rick designed this Monolithic Dome facility as a hockey and multipurpose sports event complex.

Sports Complex — Rick designed this Monolithic Dome facility as a hockey and multipurpose sports event complex.

Rick’s Theater-in-the-Round — London’s original, 20-sided Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare produced many plays in the 17th century, had the appearance of a theater-in-the-round. Historically, a flag pole was used to announce plays, since the Puritans did not allow publicity. Rick hopes to see the theater-in-the-round concept materialize as a Monolithic Dome in the near future.

Rick’s Theater-in-the-Round — London’s original, 20-sided Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare produced many plays in the 17th century, had the appearance of a theater-in-the-round. Historically, a flag pole was used to announce plays, since the Puritans did not allow publicity. Rick hopes to see the theater-in-the-round concept materialize as a Monolithic Dome in the near future.

High School — Rendering of a 150-foot-diameter high school for approximately 450 students. Cafeteria and gymnasiums are centrally located and classrooms surround the perimeter. This rendering has been the catalyst for two completed Monolithic Dome projects.

High School — Rendering of a 150-foot-diameter high school for approximately 450 students. Cafeteria and gymnasiums are centrally located and classrooms surround the perimeter. This rendering has been the catalyst for two completed Monolithic Dome projects.

St. Agnes Baptist Church — This Monolithic Dome church in Houston, TX has a 200’ diameter, a 50’ height, a 31,000-square-foot interior and seating for 4000. When victims of Hurricane Katrina fled to Houston, this church became a Red Cross Center that processed and housed thousands.

St. Agnes Baptist Church — This Monolithic Dome church in Houston, TX has a 200’ diameter, a 50’ height, a 31,000-square-foot interior and seating for 4000. When victims of Hurricane Katrina fled to Houston, this church became a Red Cross Center that processed and housed thousands.

Giant Hockey Arena — This Monolithic Dome hockey arena can accommodate 8,000 spectators.

Giant Hockey Arena — This Monolithic Dome hockey arena can accommodate 8,000 spectators.

Living Word Bible Church — In Mesa, AZ, this church includes three, very different Monolithic Domes, each with a 150-foot diameter: a dark shell with a sanctuary-in-the-sky effect, a white dome with a gym and fellowship hall, and a sky shell or children’s castle dome.

Living Word Bible Church — In Mesa, AZ, this church includes three, very different Monolithic Domes, each with a 150-foot diameter: a dark shell with a sanctuary-in-the-sky effect, a white dome with a gym and fellowship hall, and a sky shell or children’s castle dome.

Dome Community — This rendering showcases the graceful, curved architecture of a future Monolithic Dome community.

Dome Community — This rendering showcases the graceful, curved architecture of a future Monolithic Dome community.

Dome on a Cliff — Can you really build that? This dome was designed on a cliff as a visitors center for a state park in Wyoming. It has not been built, but it is possible! This rendering was originally published on the cover of the Fall 1998 Roundup and quickly became our most popular issue.

Dome on a Cliff — Can you really build that? This dome was designed on a cliff as a visitors center for a state park in Wyoming. It has not been built, but it is possible! This rendering was originally published on the cover of the Fall 1998 Roundup and quickly became our most popular issue.