Functional ugly: Styrofoam domes may be a solution for housing woes
Filed under: Extracurriculars, Home, Real Estate, Simplification
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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 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)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-16-2008 @ 10:59PM
Vince said...
Wow, just think how long a can of Coke would stay cold in a styrofoam house! The whole place would be a gigantic igloo cooler!
Reply
8-18-2008 @ 8:12AM
kymba5 said...
That was funny Vince!!!! Thanks for the laugh! Now imagine how cold a beer will stay! And styrafoam doesn't decompose....
8-17-2008 @ 2:41PM
Pami said...
Hey, for those that are displaced in war torn areas or homeless refugee, hurricane victims, etc. - any port in a storm. These certainly have to be better than living in a tent or nothing at all. This world is going to need all the inexpensive cheap housing it can find before the century is over I'm sure. Very good idea. Keep up the good work.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 2:48PM
Bobby said...
How long until the liberals discover that these styrofoam domes make us sick?
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 3:34PM
Marie said...
The houses would be perfect as long as there are no health risk! I guess the value of life doesn't mean anything to you! You would be find living in a country such as China! Great Air, healthy products, and clean water just perfect for a liberal hater such as you!
8-17-2008 @ 3:43PM
HDSL said...
Your thoughts are so controlled by the corporate government! Slave boy!!
You are continuing the division of our great country! What a shame!!!
8-17-2008 @ 3:00PM
CC said...
cool! I want one!!!!!!!!
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 3:05PM
Sue Wandelt said...
I think I'm going to start saving my styrofoam.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 3:53PM
Penny said...
I had a friend on Big Pine Key, FL (in the Florida Keys) that had a home made of styrofoam. It was great! They had it built up on "stilts" in a very wooded area. To my knowledge, it should still be standing. It was even hurricane proof - something to do with it being rounded and not square, I think. Might have had damage done to it by the trees blowing down in the hurricanes though.
It was roomy and cool even in the hottest weather! ---- and believe me, it can get hot in the keys.
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8-17-2008 @ 3:53PM
JR said...
They spelled them wrong.
Medical Students everywhere say those Appalachian Pink Tentacles look just like overgrown Pink Testi....
OH, never mind.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 4:34PM
Dina said...
My internet is running slow So I'll have to check out the company info later. Buy I think they're cute, like little Hobbits should be popping out of them. What I want to know is are they modular can you link them together and make a decent size house for a family or are they for hermits?
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 4:42PM
ktgoodaim said...
OK--first before I get flamed--I am not a tree hugger or a die-hard environmentalist so I am not trying to incite any kind of argument. This was just my first thought after reading...
Don't we use crude oil to make styrofoam? Wasn't there a huge 'anti-styrofoam' movement as there is now about plastic water bottles? If so, isn't making more of these houses going to put us in a bigger hole? (pardon the pun)
As a resident of the Texas Gulf coast, I am *definately* all for inexpensive hurricane and heat resistant housing. Just as long was we're not chopping off our noses to save our faces...
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8-17-2008 @ 4:50PM
RE said...
These would be great for New Orleans. They would even float, when the water comes in again.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 4:52PM
ktgoodaim said...
ROFLOL...that's a good one.
8-17-2008 @ 5:01PM
BellaBlues777 said...
With all the great features listed about those homes, they sound great. They sure would come in handy to a lot of people in need of a place to live. I agree with the writer about the appearance, however. At first glance, the featured picture looked like a bunch of pigs' behinds (excuse my bluntness, lol). I'm not one to mock any effort to build affordable homes, however. Too many people could really use them. Therefore, the great features of the houses far outweigh the way they look. (You CAN paint them some other color, right?) Good job! MAJOR kudos to anyone with these kinds of visions and follow-through! No one should be without a home.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 5:06PM
john said...
its cheap, its made from oil, highly efficient, will use minimal electricity to heat and cool, cover it with solar film, and voila!
things are coming together, don't panic.....lol
Reply
9-10-2008 @ 11:39AM
michelle sarmiento said...
as an expert with foam, and a decorator, the posibilities are endless for altering the way they look, very efficient, coolers, and refrigerated trucks are all ready using the same EPS.
8-17-2008 @ 5:22PM
joey said...
There is one of those houses near where I lived in Wisconsin. In the winter it cost less then $100 a season to heat...But it was bought and sold many times. I think people have a hard time getting use to living in them.
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 5:24PM
red said...
And to think that " Busn and Chainy ' lol bought trailers that are still unused and rotting as we chat. DUH or DOH You gotta love republicans. Go Bobby
Reply
8-17-2008 @ 5:45PM
Fred said said...
Reminds me several years ago, some guys who worked for a spray foam company drove their turck to the Atlantic beach. They had with them some HUGE plastic bags and blew them up
(large enough to stand up in like a large room) They then preceeded to spray insulating foam over the large bags. They just made their condo for their stay at the beach after cutting out a door and window.
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