Life Above the Treetops at Cloud Hidden

Cloud Hidden — It’s a Monolithic Dome dream-home that’s 85’ long, 46’ wide and 37’ tall, set in the hills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cloud Hidden — It’s a Monolithic Dome dream-home that’s 85’ long, 46’ wide and 37’ tall, set in the hills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Parkway.

Luxury Living — Cloud Hidden’s three levels include 5300 square feet of heated living space, 2000 square feet of unheated living space and 1000 square feet in an elevated, two-level, stamped concrete porch.

Luxury Living — Cloud Hidden’s three levels include 5300 square feet of heated living space, 2000 square feet of unheated living space and 1000 square feet in an elevated, two-level, stamped concrete porch.

Play Area — The protected space under the dome is Meili’s very own play area, complete with sandbox.

Play Area — The protected space under the dome is Meili’s very own play area, complete with sandbox.

Now that’s strong! — The large cut-outs in the garage show the strength of Monolithic’s building method.

Now that’s strong! — The large cut-outs in the garage show the strength of Monolithic’s building method.

Welcome! — Main entryway features double glass doors. Stamped concrete porch surrounds all exterior levels of the dome.

Welcome! — Main entryway features double glass doors. Stamped concrete porch surrounds all exterior levels of the dome.

What a view! — The stamped concrete porch embraces the entire front of the dome at its main or second level and circles into a private porch off the master bedroom at the third level.

What a view! — The stamped concrete porch embraces the entire front of the dome at its main or second level and circles into a private porch off the master bedroom at the third level.

Total privacy! — Outdoor hot tub is built right into the hillside and surrounded by granite. The spa was created using a reverse Monolithic building method.

Total privacy! — Outdoor hot tub is built right into the hillside and surrounded by granite. The spa was created using a reverse Monolithic building method.

Favorite reading nook — This nook, cantilevered off the dome, was originally planned as a breakfast area, but is now a favorite spot for reading.

Favorite reading nook — This nook, cantilevered off the dome, was originally planned as a breakfast area, but is now a favorite spot for reading.

Spacious kitchen — Excess storage makes this kitchen extremely functional. The archway overlooks the central living area.

Spacious kitchen — Excess storage makes this kitchen extremely functional. The archway overlooks the central living area.

Central living area — Cozy, sunken, central living area features a Cultured Stone fireplace (faux stone). Jim laid about 700 square feet of the stone and never saw two pieces that looked alike — providing an authentic stone appearance. Fireplace is 8′ × 4′ and 25’ tall.

Central living area — Cozy, sunken, central living area features a Cultured Stone fireplace (faux stone). Jim laid about 700 square feet of the stone and never saw two pieces that looked alike — providing an authentic stone appearance. Fireplace is 8′ × 4′ and 25’ tall.

Window wall — Large, store-front windows open onto a gorgeous view. Window wall is 30’ wide and 16’ high. Arches are 8’ wide and 15’ high. Glass panels measure 5′ × 8′. Jim hand-formed the fireplace mantel using a stuccolike material.

Window wall — Large, store-front windows open onto a gorgeous view. Window wall is 30’ wide and 16’ high. Arches are 8’ wide and 15’ high. Glass panels measure 5′ × 8′. Jim hand-formed the fireplace mantel using a stuccolike material.

Romantic! — Master suite has a fireplace! It shares a chimney with the lower-level fireplace but requires a separate flue. A partial wall divides bath and bedroom. Electronically controlled skylight provides star-gazing opportunities and features a rain sensor that sutomatically closes the skylight.

Romantic! — Master suite has a fireplace! It shares a chimney with the lower-level fireplace but requires a separate flue. A partial wall divides bath and bedroom. Electronically controlled skylight provides star-gazing opportunities and features a rain sensor that sutomatically closes the skylight.

Relaxing! — A wide window bench in the master bath utilizes space and creates a comfortable relaxing area.

Relaxing! — A wide window bench in the master bath utilizes space and creates a comfortable relaxing area.

Elegance! — Master bath has a glass double-vanity with waterfall faucets imported from Canada.

Elegance! — Master bath has a glass double-vanity with waterfall faucets imported from Canada.

Guest bedroom — It’s entered off the balcony that overlooks the central living area.

Guest bedroom — It’s entered off the balcony that overlooks the central living area.

Meili’s stuff — She has ample storage space for clothes, books and toys.

Meili’s stuff — She has ample storage space for clothes, books and toys.

Celestial theme — Meili sleeps among the stars, moon and planets.

Celestial theme — Meili sleeps among the stars, moon and planets.

Luxurious comfort! — Guest bedroom features a large, glass-enclosed shower with Italian, ceramic tile, custom detailing. A large armoire sits in the space behind the door.

Luxurious comfort! — Guest bedroom features a large, glass-enclosed shower with Italian, ceramic tile, custom detailing. A large armoire sits in the space behind the door.

Large bathroom — It can be accessed from Meili’s or the guest bedroom.

Large bathroom — It can be accessed from Meili’s or the guest bedroom.

Playroom — The playroom has concrete benches hanging off the dome wall (cantilever). Floor features a polymer overlay, with color and pattern.

Playroom — The playroom has concrete benches hanging off the dome wall (cantilever). Floor features a polymer overlay, with color and pattern.

Library — The high ceiling has glass blocks that provide light for this U-shaped library with a secluded reading area.

Library — The high ceiling has glass blocks that provide light for this U-shaped library with a secluded reading area.

Moon rising over Cloud Hidden — This night-time shot captures the glow and warmth of the home and overcome the myth that domes are cold and cavelike.

Moon rising over Cloud Hidden — This night-time shot captures the glow and warmth of the home and overcome the myth that domes are cold and cavelike.

Among the treetops — Cloud Hidden was built on a 3/4 acre site overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway that was anything but easy to get to.

Among the treetops — Cloud Hidden was built on a 3/4 acre site overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway that was anything but easy to get to.

On the cover — In its Aug/Sep 2003 issue, Fine Homebuilding Magazine did a feature article and devoted its back cover to Cloud Hidden, as a Monolithic Dome dream home.

On the cover — In its Aug/Sep 2003 issue, Fine Homebuilding Magazine did a feature article and devoted its back cover to Cloud Hidden, as a Monolithic Dome dream home.