How to Build Large Earthbag Domes

Large earthbag dome insulated with bags of scoria/lava rock.
Large earthbag dome insulated with bags of scoria/lava rock.

Question: “I was wondering if there is a limit to the size of diameter an earthbag dome can have. I am wanting to have a dome with more than 800 sq ft. I would like it to be a dome because I do not want the hassle of constructing a roof, and I’m a simple person so I am only wanting to construct one dome instead of multiple ones. Any information about this would be helpful, thank you!” Tyler

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DIY Ferrocement Domes and Vaults

Passive solar ferrocement vault
Passive solar ferrocement vault

“The “Green” movement has its roots in the late 60’s with the “back-to-the land” movement—-when people really started to think not just about alternative life styles but different methods of building—-including sustainability. It could easily be argued that the father and mother of the back-to-the-land movement were Helen and Scott Nearing.

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Ferrocement Roofed Domes for Tropical Climates

This roofed dome is designed for hot, rainy climates.
This roofed dome is designed for hot, rainy climates.

Domes are vulnerable to water damage, so what to do in rainy climates? I say add a roof. There are various roofed dome houses on our main website at EarthbagBuilding.com that you peruse here and here. Those are earthbag domes. The design I’m first presenting here is made of ferrocement. It’s just one more way to do things.

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