Triumphs and Trials: A First Monolithic Dome Construction

Rosholdt Residence — The fall foliage creates a warm and inviting background to the Rosholdt’s three bedroom, one bathroom dome home in the hills of Mineral, Virginia. To begin an orchard, numerous fruit tress have been planted on the property. Commercial reinforced steel doors cut down to a four-foot length provide a Dutch-style shutter on every window. They are foam-core insulated for an additional R-5 insulation factor. The Rosholdts plan to coat the dome’s exterior in 2002.

Rosholdt Residence — The fall foliage creates a warm and inviting background to the Rosholdt’s three bedroom, one bathroom dome home in the hills of Mineral, Virginia. To begin an orchard, numerous fruit tress have been planted on the property. Commercial reinforced steel doors cut down to a four-foot length provide a Dutch-style shutter on every window. They are foam-core insulated for an additional R-5 insulation factor. The Rosholdts plan to coat the dome’s exterior in 2002. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Living Room — The efficient floor plan allows access to the entire home from the central living area.

Living Room — The efficient floor plan allows access to the entire home from the central living area. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Loft-view of Living Room — View of the living room displays the open ceiling which creates an open, airy feel.

Loft-view of Living Room — View of the living room displays the open ceiling which creates an open, airy feel. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Living Room — Visitors are greeted with the sign, Home Sweet Dome.

Living Room — Visitors are greeted with the sign, Home Sweet Dome. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Kitchen — Combination oak and maple cabinets with a white washed finish outline the efficiently designed kitchen. Carved wood trim above cabinets adds detail and visual interest. A large pantry/storage area and the oversized laundry room are adjacent to the kitchen.

Kitchen — Combination oak and maple cabinets with a white washed finish outline the efficiently designed kitchen. Carved wood trim above cabinets adds detail and visual interest. A large pantry/storage area and the oversized laundry room are adjacent to the kitchen. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Master Bedroom — Oversized windows in the master bedroom provide a beautiful view of the autumn landscape.

Master Bedroom — Oversized windows in the master bedroom provide a beautiful view of the autumn landscape. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Loft-view of Master Bedroom — View of the master bedroom from the loft displays the open ceiling. The vinyl floor provides a beautiful, easy-to-maintain interior floor finish. The loft provides additional storage space or additional sleeping quarters for guests. The framing in the ceiling peak is for a future motorized remote-controlled skylight.

Loft-view of Master Bedroom — View of the master bedroom from the loft displays the open ceiling. The vinyl floor provides a beautiful, easy-to-maintain interior floor finish. The loft provides additional storage space or additional sleeping quarters for guests. The framing in the ceiling peak is for a future motorized remote-controlled skylight. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Bathroom — The bathroom is spacious and includes a large shower/tub combination. The faucet is placed on the side of the bath/shower.

Bathroom — The bathroom is spacious and includes a large shower/tub combination. The faucet is placed on the side of the bath/shower. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Storage — Third bedroom provides tall and short built-in cabinets for storage.

Storage — Third bedroom provides tall and short built-in cabinets for storage. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Closet — This closet is wide and open to provide plenty of space.

Closet — This closet is wide and open to provide plenty of space. (Andrew Shurtleff)

Exterior — The Rosholdts obtained a first dome mortgage in 2002 after the lender saw how nice and conventionally livable the dome was finished out.

Exterior — The Rosholdts obtained a first dome mortgage in 2002 after the lender saw how nice and conventionally livable the dome was finished out.