Geodesic (Sustainable) Domes Australia
High-tech modular living for the 21st Century
Sustainable Domes are designed to withstand the tough tests of natural disasters such as fire, floods and earthquakes. They also resiiient to rust, bugs and other unwelcomed visitors that frustrate typical homeowners.
Sustainable Domes aim to protect the families that live in them as well as preserve the planet that is home to us all.
This is evidenced by the materials used in our Geodesic Domes which in addition to being non poisonous, require less processing and long term maintenance compared to conventional building materials.
Moreover, these materials provide good thermal insulation and excellent aeration.
Our residential product help sustain our planet. We make turnkey dwellings with a host of sustainable technologies. We use sustainable design principles such as biomimicry, work to preserve natural resources and utilize reputed green building methods. The products we sell are made of high performance green materials predominantly derived from renewable or recycled sources. The Sustainable Domes that we make ensure that the families that live in them are well protected and the planet that we all live is preserved. The following are the top 10 reasons for choosing Sustainable Domes:-
Strength
Unlike typical box structures which distribute the stress loads to right angles, geodesic domes distribute the stress loads across the entire structure. This gives them incredible structural strength. In addition to that, geodesic domes are the only artificial structures whose strength is directly correlated to their sizes. Sustainable domes are made of reliable materials like basalt and magnesium oxide that give them structural integrity similar to structures such as precast concrete and monolithic domes.
Versatility
Sustainable Domes provide an enclosed space free of structural supports such as cross beams. This eliminates the need for vacant, uninhabitable areas such as attics and crawl spaces. Moreover, structures are designed to be comfortably habitable as residential dwellings due to their natural acoustics and high thermal mass. They are also well suited for many other infrastructure applications.
Ease of Assembly
Sustainable Domes’ structures are made of structures whose shapes and weights optimize them for rapid assembly. This increases the ease of assembly. We are talking about a 50% reduction in construction time. This reduces labor costs, limits the need for additional subcontracting requirements and reduces the contingencies that arise during construction.
Temp-to-Perm Structures
Ideally, Sustainable Domes are permanent structures. However, due to their SIP frame and Modular design, they can be rapidly assembled and disassembled. Sustainable Domes can therefore be used for both permanent use and temporary use such as in disaster relief camps, schools, on-site hospitals, warehouses, agricultural shows and houses.
Affordability
The components of Sustainable Domes are made in specialized factories, utilizing high performance eco friendly materials and a proprietary panelized design which increases their affordability compared to site-built structures. In addition to that, they require little long-term maintenance and promise high energy efficiency thereby reducing long-term costs.
Waste
Sustainable Domes create no virtual waste. This is due to the delicate nature of their manufacture. They are manufactured in a controlled factory environment that sees raw materials converted into finished products. Our company incorporates sustainable manufacturing processes which utilize materials with low embodied energy designed to reduce waste. Waste, if any, is recycled.
Energy Efficiency
Sustainable Domes provide high energy efficiency due to the extremely tight building envelope, the excellent insulating properties of magnesium oxide and polyurethane and the moderate thermal mass provided by our proprietary SIP design. The energy use in Sustainable Domes is half the energy use in conventional homes.
Disaster
Sustainable Domes are designed to weather significant wind loads from storms. This is because first of all, they are devoid of any roof and truss structure. Secondly, they are aerodynamic. Finally, they are made of high performance eco friendly materials.
Long Life Cycle
Sustainable Domes are designed to last centuries, not decades. Our structures have no wood components making them immune to rot, termites and degradation from moisture. One of the main building materials we use, magnesium oxide, can be found in such structures as The Great Wall of China. Our domes can withstand turbulent conditions that are synonymous with regions in the coast and those with high instances of natural disasters.
Sustainability
Our dwellings are designed for high energy efficiency and resistance to all kinds of disasters. They do not use wood from primary forests, they have building materials with low potential energy, they incorporate recycled and renewable materials wherever possible, they are toxic free and they integrate with sustainable technologies.
Sustainable Domes Vs Traditional Homes
Sustainable Domes and Modular and Manufactured Homes (Traditional Homes) are both characterized by bringing together qualified personnel and raw materials in a controlled environment to create a finished product. However, for Sustainable Domes as opposed to Traditional Homes, construction within a factory eliminates the possibility of damage from weather and removes many of the problems of the site-built sector such as unpredictable weather, thievery, bodily injury and damage to materials.
Moreover, high internal regulation and inspection during the manufacturing increases the assurance of quality.. Finally, factory employees are trained, scheduled and managed by an employer, as opposed to the conventional system of contracted labor in the site-built sector.
Our products differ from Modular and Manufactured homes for the following reasons: they are devoid of wood, they have unique designs, the dome product isn’t shipped to site as a prefab, but as a series of SIPs and finally, they will need further interior work once delivered.
The benefits and performance of Sustainable Domes are similar to those of Concrete Structures such as Precast Concrete Walls and Monolithic Domes. Our wall systems use Magnesium Oxide (a concrete alternative) on the exterior and interior of the envelope of the building which, like concrete, reduces the amount of air infiltration into the building. This reduces the amount of airborne moisture entering the building. This barrier provides for better air quality, less chance for molds and more efficient use of HVAC systems. Our structures, like concrete, do not rust, rot or burn. Lastly, the structures are hold firm in the instances of natural disaster.
In conclusion, our products are designed to obtain the same benefits as Modular Housing by eliminating the headaches and potential pitfalls of the site building process. Sustainable Domes are similar to manufactured dwellings in terms of cost but provide significantly improved energy efficiency, building life cycle and resistance to natural disasters. We provide dwellings that combine the benefits of modular housing, the performance of concrete structures and the affordability of manufactured housing.
21st Century Building
The burgeoning commercial and green building sectors especially in the high growth ASEAN region has meant increased demand for high performance green building materials. We at Eco Built Systems, utilize indigenous mineral composites to make Magnesium Oxide to be used in prefabricated buildings. This Magnesium Oxide is based on SIPs and Boards.
Our Green Building Composites are not only vital components in our Sustainable Domes but are also made of unique blends similar to those found in outstanding structures that have stood the test of time such as The Taj Mahal, The Greek Parthenon and The Great Wall of China. This blend of minerals Magnesium Oxide and Geopolymer remains effective to this day and age.
SIP stands for Structural Insulated Panel. Just as the name suggests, SIP panels are insulated with mineral foam which is non-toxic. This mineral form consists of Magnesium Oxide and coconut fiber. The structure of SIPs is largely Magnesium Oxide ceramic cement board which is augmented by rubber tree saw dust and basalt; all with indigenous fibers. Eco Built SIP panels are therefore environmental friendly and non poisonous.
Other than being environmental friendly and non poisonous, Eco Built SIPs are also 100% breathable. This is because they are optimized by proprietary mineral blends that allow provide sufficient aeration at the same time providing best industry practices in terms of thermal performance. Our SIPs do not use foams made of OSB, formaldehyde, urethanes, acrylics, glues, EPS or XPS and neither do they contain VOCs nor CFCs.
The galvanized steel tubes that we use in our sustainable homes are reputed for their durability and structural integrity. Galvanization is the process of passing zinc coated steel tubes through a molten bath of zinc at temperatures as high as eight hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit. Our galvanization process is not only economical but highly predictable.
Benefits Of Galvanized Steel Tubes
Galvanized steel tubes have a number of advantages. Firstly, galvanized steel tubes are economical as the process of galvanizing is low cost. Secondly, galvanized steel tubes are reputed for their long lives. The estimated life cycle of a galvanized steel tube is 100 years and is more in certain environments. Thirdly, galvanized steel tubes offer phenomenal reliability as the process of galvanizing is carried out in accordance to industry standards 1460 and 1461. Fourthly, galvanized steel tubes offer stiff resistance to mechanical damage due to their tough coating.
More Benefits Of Galvanized Steel Tubes
Fifthly, the sheer strength of galvanized steel tubes make them exhibit superior structural integrity compared to traditional framing materials such as wood. Sixthly, every inch of galvanized steel tubes is protected from damage. Another benefit of galvanized steel tubes is that they can be easily inspected and assessed by eye without the need of complicated procedures and equipment. The last advantage of galvanized steel tubes is that they are often ready for use due to their ease of assembly.
Magnesium Oxide
Composites
Composite materials (composites) are engineered or naturally occurring materials made of two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties that preserve their autonomous identities at the macroscopic or microscopic scale within the finished structure. Disc brake pads are perhaps the most common composites. They are made of hard ceramic particles embedded in soft metal matrix. Other composites include imitation granite, cultured marble sinks and countertops. Fiberglass is another composite that is used in shower stalls and bathtubs. Advanced composites are applied in spacecraft technology where the environment is demanding. Enter magnesium oxide.
Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide (MgO) is a versatile mineral that can be used in building among other applications and is a suitable alternative to traditional Portland cement. Foundations, panels and internal walls of homes made with magnesium oxide composite are fire resistant, mold resistant, termite proof, insulated against heat and strong enough to withstand natural disasters.
Benefits of Magnesium Oxide
Magnesium oxide has a plethora of benefits. It is mold, fungus and bug-free. This is because it is not a nutrient to mold, fungi and bugs (ATSM G-21). It is also fire-proof and has been both UL 055 and ASTM-tested and is A-rated. It is water-proof and has been freeze/thaw-tested for 36 months. It is impact resistant (ASTM D-5628). Magnesium oxide is also silica and asbestos-free. What’s more? It is also resistant to Electro-Magnetic frequencies (EMF). It is also ideal for flooring: 3/4″ of magnesium oxide is equivalent to 21/2″ of poured concrete! Other credibility indicators of magnesium oxide are that it is NYC approved (MEA # 359-02-M), Florida Hurricane tested and STC-rated 53-54.
Basalt Fibre
Basalt is an igneous volcanic rock formed by the melt from the earth’s mantle when it decompresses. It contains huge crystals in a fine quartz-like complex ball. Basalt fibers are used to create alternative building materials to contemporary metal props; the likes of steel and aluminum. After basalt stone has been extruded, it is taken through a process of conversion to wool that resembles metals which is an ensemble of pyroxene, olivine and plagioclase materials. Basalt mesh is used in frameworks of Eco Built system panels to reinforce our structures owing to their superior structural integrity.
A Little Bit More On Basalt Fiber
Compared to the ubiquitous carbon and glass fibers, basalt fibers emerge top with magnificent technical characteristics, superior performance and unbeatable cost effectiveness. Basalt fibers spring from a raw material of volcanic origin which are melted at temperatures as high as one thousand four hundred degrees Celsius. The mass of molten basalt fibers is passed through a platinum bushing which extends them into longer strands. Basalt mesh and rebar are then formed once these fibers are woven through a pultrusion.
Advantages of Basalt Fiber
The chemical resistance of basalt fiber is so high that it is impassive even to strong concentrated acidic solutions. It exhibits very high thermo-stability as a result of its high thermal resistance. Moreover, it also has low flammability. It is mechanically strong, resistant to abrasion and readily elastic. It does not degrade easily even when subjected to extreme temperatures even as high as nine hundred degrees Fahrenheit. What’s more, its tensile strength is superior to that of a steel mesh of equal size. Basalt fiber also exhibits high thermal and acoustic insulation properties. Basalt fiber also has high electrical insulating properties. On an environmental front, basalt fiber is a renewable alternative to metal building materials. It is also ecologically clean and non-toxic to the end user.
Mineral Foam
To create an insulation package for the long term which will exhibit extraordinarily high thermal efficiency you need to use mineral foam. To make our mineral foam; dubbed ‘the true eco foam’, we mix magnesium oxide together with different kinds of minerals. It is dubbed ‘the true eco foam’ because it is both environmental friendly and non poisonous. This true eco foam is reputed for its ability to provide both sheer strength and efficient insulation because of the strength of the bonds between magnesium and oxygen atoms at the microscopic level to form a robust magnesium oxide molecule.
Benefits Of Mineral Foam
Mineral foam has a number of benefits that make it an essential building material. Its reliability in different environmental settings is as a result of its resistance to expansion, shrinking and settling. It also shows resistance to damage by fire and invasion by parasitic mold. It’s extraordinary soundproofing capabilities makes it the preferred component to use in making interior sound partitions. Perhaps the main advantage of mineral foam is that it maintains a high insulation value. On the environmental front, it is made of bio-friendly minerals and is fully recyclable and can therefore be reused.
