Surrounded by Nature’s Antiquity

What a Site! — The Wortman dome home is surrounded by Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pines.

What a Site! — The Wortman dome home is surrounded by Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pines.

What a floor plan! — The home’s 4000-square-foot living area includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, living/dining room, reading room, kitchen and laundry.

What a floor plan! — The home’s 4000-square-foot living area includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, living/dining room, reading room, kitchen and laundry.

It’s up! — After the Airform was inflated, friends and neighbors toured the inside and were amazed.

It’s up! — After the Airform was inflated, friends and neighbors toured the inside and were amazed.

Three more augments — Upon completion, the middle augment will become a door flanked by two very large windows.

Three more augments — Upon completion, the middle augment will become a door flanked by two very large windows.

Looking like a giant walnut! — Because the Wortmans’ Monolithic Dome dream home sits at the edge of a cliff, wood, resembling a giant walnut, was used to block an augment so the Airform could be inflated.

Looking like a giant walnut! — Because the Wortmans’ Monolithic Dome dream home sits at the edge of a cliff, wood, resembling a giant walnut, was used to block an augment so the Airform could be inflated.

Three interconnected domes — Central dome has a diameter of 47 feet, while the domes on either side of it have a diameter of 36 feet.

Three interconnected domes — Central dome has a diameter of 47 feet, while the domes on either side of it have a diameter of 36 feet.

Spectacular view — At an elevation of 10,000 feet, from their dome-home in Fairplay, Colorado, the Wortmans have a gorgeous view of lakes and mountains.

Spectacular view — At an elevation of 10,000 feet, from their dome-home in Fairplay, Colorado, the Wortmans have a gorgeous view of lakes and mountains.

Continued progress — This picture shows the progress of ongoing construction.

Continued progress — This picture shows the progress of ongoing construction. (Keith Wortman)

Living room — It’s both comfortable and elegant.

Living room — It’s both comfortable and elegant.

A chef’s delight! — This kitchen adds to the beauty and functionality of this home. Door on the right opens onto a 64-square-foot pantry.

A chef’s delight! — This kitchen adds to the beauty and functionality of this home. Door on the right opens onto a 64-square-foot pantry.

Welcome — Entries to Monolithic Dome homes can be whatever you want them to be. This one is designed to display western art.

Welcome — Entries to Monolithic Dome homes can be whatever you want them to be. This one is designed to display western art.

Dining room as seen from sunken living room. — Keith said, “I firmly believe that lighting makes a home comfortable. I designed all the lighting from what I saw in my dreams for almost 30 years. There are about 15 different combinations that can be used in just this dome alone.”

Dining room as seen from sunken living room. — Keith said, “I firmly believe that lighting makes a home comfortable. I designed all the lighting from what I saw in my dreams for almost 30 years. There are about 15 different combinations that can be used in just this dome alone.”

Master bedroom — Sitting on top of 6 feet of vertical wall and overlooking the forest, this master bedroom is well over 200 square feet and superbly comfortable.

Master bedroom — Sitting on top of 6 feet of vertical wall and overlooking the forest, this master bedroom is well over 200 square feet and superbly comfortable.

Spare bedroom — If you like curves, this home will amaze you. No two rooms are the same and every room has exciting, curvy surprises.

Spare bedroom — If you like curves, this home will amaze you. No two rooms are the same and every room has exciting, curvy surprises.

Dining room — It’s very large and open to the kitchen and both living rooms. Table seats ten comfortably, with room for additional entertaining tables and a large island.

Dining room — It’s very large and open to the kitchen and both living rooms. Table seats ten comfortably, with room for additional entertaining tables and a large island.

Note the paw print! — If you visit Bristlecone Dome in the winter, follow the bear to the front door.

Note the paw print! — If you visit Bristlecone Dome in the winter, follow the bear to the front door.