Building India's Future, Today

What is an India Dome?

1. An extremely strong concrete shell that is re-enforced to withstand earthquakes, monsoons, typhoons and severe conditions
2. It can be built using local labor under semi-skilled supervision in a very short period of time
3. The shell form can be re-used over and over again to minimize the cost of construction
4. A dome encloses the largest amount of space of any type of structure
5. Climate control is more easily achieved due to its energy efficiency
6. The dome is ideal for individual homes, clustered communities, secure storage structures and clustered housing facilities
7. The construction techniques are used all over the world and have proven themselves over time

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Why not use "normal" construction techniques?

• Cost (A dome can be built at less than half the cost of a regular concrete and brick building in tropical climates)

• Complexity (Normal construction requires skilled, experienced labor to be done correctly)

• Resources required (A dome requires a re-usable air form, a re-usable blower fan, concrete, hand labor and rebar steel - that's all)

• Quality (Domes are immensely strong and have proven their strength through severe tests of their structures)

• Lack of versatility (In a dome, you can place interior walls, windows and door openings wherever you wish)

• Shape (The dome shape is a part of Indian culture and well accepted here, more than anywhere in the world)

• Materials (The materials used are easily and cheaply obtained in India and are in continuous use, everywhere, right now)

• Participation (A community can invest in the re-usable shell form and build multiple structures cheaply)

• Equipment (The equipment is easily transportable by truck and instructions are provided in drawing form, so literacy is not required)

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How is an India Dome built? 

1. A flat circle is cleared, gravel is smoothed over it, water supply pipes, drain pipes and electrical conduit is placed

2. A circular pad of concrete, re-enforced with rebar is poured and a thin steel ring is embedded vertically on the outer edge

3. The bottom of an air form (an extremely strong balloon shape) is attached to the steel ring with screws

4. A blower fan is attached to the balloon and inflates it to dome shape

5. Vertical rebar is placed against the balloon, all around the structure, from the edge on the bottom to the top of the airform

6. Horizontal rebar is wire-tied to the vertical rebar, leaving re-enforced gaps where doors or windows are desired

7. Concrete can be now sprayed or hand applied to the structure, working from the bottom up

8. The applied concrete is allowed to cure and the openings are framed out for doors and windows

9. The air form is deflated and removed through the door opening

10. Concrete is applied by spray or hand on the interior of the dome and smoothed over

11. If desired, interior walls can now be built where you wish, and if necessary, attached to the dome interior walls

12. Second level lofts can be easily added for storage or sleeping space

13. Flooring, cabinets, fixtures, etc. can now be installed and hooked up to the previously installed piping

14. The concrete can be painted, if desired

15. Move in and enjoy the convenience of an extremely energy efficient structure built for generations of use at little cost

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Where have these domes been built?

30 countries and 48 states in the US