Do It Yourself

This dome was designed and documented from the start as a DIY project. All components are manageable in size and weight, allowing a single person to fabricate and store them in a small shop.

The most labor-intensive part of the project is building the foundation, which involves digging out footing holes, trenching for utilities, and mixing concrete. Fortunately, augers, trenchers, and mixers are readily available to make that job a little less daunting.

The most enjoyable part of the project is erecting the dome itself. This involves strapping on a harness, bolting together various hubs and struts, constructing it from the ground up, and then sheathing it with triangles, followed by coating the entire structure with a fluid-applied weatherproofing.

The most time-consuming part of the project is the roofing. Installing metal shingle roofing takes time. A detailed plan is essential (and provided), and it helps to remind yourself that you’ll never need to do it again — metal shingles are designed to last a lifetime.