Functional ugly: Styrofoam domes may be a solution for housing woes

By Bruce Watson Posted 5:00PM 08/13/08 Home, Simplification, Real Estate, Family Money

When I was a kid, my parents bought a tract of land near the West Virginia border. Nestled in the Appalachian mountains, in the middle of a huge forest, it was incredibly isolated and incredibly beautiful. Over the next several years, my family worked on building our ideal vacation home. We started with a big basement and a log cabin kit. by the time we sold it, several years later, we had a partially-finished log cabin standing over a completely unfinished basement.

The biggest problem was money. Even the do-it-yourself (with-the-help-of-several-contractors) kit that we bought was fairly expensive, and the construction, bricklaying, staining, chinking, roof-building, and assorted other tasks tacked on a huge amount of money. Beyond that, there was the difficulty of transporting materials to the site, troubles with building a septic field, and assorted other miseries. Over time, the construction became a constant drain on our family finances and we never really finished the cabin.

With that in mind, I was really interested in the International Dome House Company. Constructed from pre-molded industrial-strength Styrofoam pieces, the buildings are designed to be constructed by three people of reasonable strength. They are flame-retardant, typhoon-resistant, and completely unappetizing for termites. On the other hand, they look like igloos or mold cultures. Still, given some imagination, a little bit of time, and a decent paint palette, there really doesn't seem to be any limit to the creative possibilities.

I'm not sure that these buildings are my ideal habitat. However, their energy efficiency, artistic potential, and cheap price ($30,000) makes them very attractive. Now that I think about it, a house that looks like an ice cream sundae might just be perfect...

Bruce Watson is a freelance writer, blogger, and all-around cheapskate. He'd make his sundae home into a banana split if the Dome house people could figure out how to make a gargantuan Styrofoam banana.

Real Estate Troubles

WASHINGTON - JULY 27: (AFP OUT) President George W. Bush arrives at the White House after a bicycle ride July 27, 2008 in Washington, DC. President Bush has said he will sign a mortgage relief bill, allowing homeowners to refinance with government-backed loans rather than foreclosing, that the Senate approved yesterday in a rare Saturday session. (Photo by Dennis Brack-Pool/Getty Images)

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ALTADENA, CA - JULY 25: (FILE PHOTO)A foreclosed home is up for sale July 25, 2008 in Altadena, California. During a weekend session of the Senate congress passed aon July 26, 2008 in Washington, DC. During a weekend session of the Senate congress passed legislation to aid failing mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that would allow homeowners to escape foreclosure by getting the chance to refinance into more affordable loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration on July 26, 2008 in Washington, DC. The $3.9 billion bill would aid neighborhoods devastated by the housing crisis buy and fix up foreclosed properties, helping an estimated 400,000 homeowners. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

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STOCKTON, CA - APRIL 29: (FILE PHOTO)An abandoned home stands behind a padlocked gate April 29, 2008 in Stockton, California During a weekend session of the Senate congress passed legislation to aid failing mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that would allow homeowners to escape foreclosure by getting the chance to refinance into more affordable loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration on July 26, 2008 in Washington, DC. The $3.9 billion bill would aid neighborhoods devastated by the housing crisis buy and fix up foreclosed properties, helping an estimated 400,000 homeowners.(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Getty Images

STOCKTON, CA - APRIL 29: (FILE PHOTO) A foreclosure sign sits in front of a home for sale April 29, 2008 in Stockton, California. During a weekend session of the Senate congress passed legislation to aid failing mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that would allow homeowners to escape foreclosure by getting the chance to refinance into more affordable loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration on July 26, 2008 in Washington, DC. The $3.9 billion bill would aid neighborhoods devastated by the housing crisis buy and fix up foreclosed properties, helping an estimated 400,000 homeowners. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Getty Images

A worker installs air conditioners at a new office building construction site in Jakarta July 23, 2008. While global investors shirk at anything property-related after the U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown, Indonesian developers are possibly Asia's best kept secret, because brisk home sales contradict share prices that reflect a market crash. Picture taken July 23, 2008. REUTERS/Beawiharta (INDONESIA)

Reuters

Labourers work at an apartment construction site in Jakarta July 21, 2008. While global investors shirk at anything property-related after the U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown, Indonesian developers are possibly Asia's best kept secret, because brisk home sales contradict share prices that reflect a market crash. Picture taken July 21, 2008...REUTERS/Crack Palinggi (INDONESIA)

Reuters

A labourer drills holes at an apartment construction site in Jakarta July 21, 2008. While global investors shirk at anything property-related after the U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown, Indonesian developers are possibly Asia's best kept secret, because brisk home sales contradict share prices that reflect a market crash. Picture taken July 21, 2008...REUTERS/Crack Palinggi (INDONESIA)

Reuters

A labourer works at an apartment construction site in Jakarta July 21, 2008. While global investors shirk at anything property-related after the U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown, Indonesian developers are possibly Asia's best kept secret, because brisk home sales contradict share prices that reflect a market crash. Picture taken July 21, 2008...REUTERS/Crack Palinggi (INDONESIA)

Reuters

A palm tree is reflected on Countrywide Bank Home Loans branch window in La Canada Flintridge, Calif. on Thursday, July 24, 2008. A federal grand jury is investigating mortgage lenders Countrywide Financial Corp., New Century Financial Corp. and IndyMac Bancorp Inc., a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Tagged: Do-it-yourself houses, Do-it-yourselfHouses, Dome houses, DomeHouses, eco-living, family vacation homes, FamilyVacationHomes, featured

Bruce Watson

Features Writer

Bruce Watson is a features writer for DailyFinance, focusing on the political and cultural effects of economic events. A contributor to Military Lessons of the Persian Gulf War, A Chronology of the Cold War at Sea, the Journal of American Philosophy, A Cafe in Space, and the forthcoming Peanut Butter, Gooseberries, and Latkes! He has also worked as a research assistant in the British House of Commons and at the United States Naval Institute.

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