The round igloo-like domes from UK- based Solardome never fail to surprise first time viewers; the reasons might have something to do with their design
WHETHER you use it to make a garden in your house or add living space in your terrace, there is no way one can ignore a solar dome. But what exactly is a solar dome and what does it do?
Domes from Solardome are actually panels of glass set in aluminium that catch all the available light with maximum efficiency and create their own micro-climate. These are specifically made for cold countries which get limited amount of sunlight. These domes can withstand all weather conditions and are not affected by wind.
The domes from Solardome have many uses. It is indispensable as a cover for one’s outdoor spa or plunge pool extending usage from warm summer days to all year round. They also make a unique home office or gym and are often used by artists as a light and airy studio, perfect for getting the imagination flowing. Not only are domes excellent as freestanding conservatories but also plants flourish just as they did in the Garden of Eden.
Solardome’s design offers a number of benefits over more traditional greenhouses or freestanding buildings. The geodesic shape of the dome makes it the strongest and most robust for withstanding the heaviest wind, or low lying snow conditions. The stronger the wind blows the more the Solardome holds to the ground even over 100mph. No glazed structure is as strong or as stable. The ventilation of the Solardome with the inclusion of the base, middle and roof level vents means that as the air heats up in the dome, it acts like a chimney, allowing excellent air flow even in warm, still weather conditions. Because of better airflow inside the dome, the temperature is more uniform than in a conventional room. No hot and cold spots. When the windows are open the dome never gets more than 5-8 degrees hotter than outside.
There is an interesting history behind the first solar domes. In the 1960’s NATO developed an early warning radar system. They asked the Buckminster Fuller organisation to design and develop giant golf ball radar domes. In Europe these were placed in Filingdales, North Yorkshire. These giant domes had to withstand extremes of wind and storm and yet remain unaffected. An ex German U-boat engineer living in North Yorkshire was fascinated by these domes and thought, “If they can withstand these weather conditions then they would make an ideal domestic garden building, greenhouse or garden conservatory”. He explored the Buckminster Fuller Geodesic domes and their principles and then designed and manufactured the first European domestic Geodesic dome, a 14' 6" Solardome.
The first dome by Solardome was produced in 1969, and the company is now in its 36th year; a world expert in small domestic geodesic domes and spheres based on aluminium construction.