Utilise advanced composites combined with dome architecture to deliver an affordable, efficient, strong and safe housing system for human protection and comfort under the most extreme conditions. Modular, prefabricated, lightweight, versatile, fast to assemble, delivered in Kit form utilizing cutting-edge composite materials technology combined with dome-shaped structures in the form of prefabricated, pre-finished, modular easy to assemble, components that lock together forming strong, safe comfortable living spaces environments under all extreme conditions.
DreamDome strives to provide the most efficient form of housing that by design will save lives, is attractive, affordable and comfortable, The DreamDome in a class of its own achieving high performance across all extreme operating conditions.
CEO, Chris Brown:
Inventor, licensed builder, building designer, project manager with experience in housing, commercial, industrial and civil projects
7 years joint chief investigator in two Australian Research Council, research and development projects with QUT Brisbane based on ‘glass fiber reinforced concrete’ (CRC) composites and cement-based sandwich panel systems.
“My contribution to the world is my passion to develop the DreamDome system as a solution to a global housing crisis and particularly a need for stronger, safer, more efficient form of construction – houses capable of withstanding extreme climate events.
I am excited about what the future holds for the DreamDome because the more I look, the more applications it is ideally suited for – it is the right technology at the right place at the right time.
Climate change is bringing increased ferocity of the elements and mass migrations of people and wars have recently contributed to millions of refugees looking for a place to call home. Cities and suburbs are bursting at the seams.
Every person on our planet deserves a secure place to call home.”
Chris is co-founder and CEO of DomeShells Australia Pty Ltd.
A Tiny International Team of Co-Creation
The DreamDome team are made up of truly international talent from around the world. Chris Brown CEO is Based in Byron Bay, Australia. Our partner structural engineers are based in Brisbane, our architectural designers are based in Australia and Mexico, our manufacturing partners in the Philippines with marketing input from Philippines and Australia.
DreamDome Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is so special about the dome shape?
A: In addition to the superior structural qualities of the shape, there is a unique energy inside of a domed space that every dome dweller will tell you is like a magic that they never want to leave. The feeling inside a dome is different. People don’t always realize it but, when they walk into a dome space, they immediately feel comfortable. It just feels good
Q: How does sound behave in a dome?
A: Sound waves behave in a very different way inside a dome. Sound travels in waves (literally). Low-frequency sounds are long wave forms measuring up to meters from peak to peak. High-frequency sounds are short waves – only a short distance from peak to peak. In a dome, these sound waves are reflected from the dome surface back to the center of the diameter line. Unlike a square or rectangular room, there is no immediate phase cancellation or standing wave action so there is significantly less distortion of the sound. In fact, the purest sound can be heard when you put you head at the diameter center point because there is no distortion. It sounds like 360-degree surround sound. An empty dome may sound like a large hall until it furnished when the resonance is reduced. A dome makes an ideal recording studio because of the ability to record many different sounds within the dome depending on where the microphone is located.
Q: Do any of the materials off-gas?
A: No. When the dome parts are new they may have a residual odour from the factory (like a new car has its own smell). This will only last for a short time after which the odour dissipates and there is never any off-gassing from the materials
Q: Exactly what are the materials made of?
A: DreamDome relies on the action of the sandwich panel which multiplies its strength. The panel comprises either a structural recyclable PET (closed cell) foam core or a fire-resistant structural polyurethane foam core depending on your choice. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a thermoplastic that drink bottles are made from which is part of the structural design and acts as the insulation.
Polyurethane, on the other hand, although not recyclable in the same way as PET foam is slightly less in cost but is twice the thermal performance of the PET
The hard structural skins of the panels are made from fiberglass, basalt fiber or carbon fiber depending on the strength and performance required. The fiber materials are set in a resin bonded together in layers with the outside layer being of GEL coat. GEL coat is an extremely hard-wearing colour-cote system that is both UV and chemical resistant.
Q: Do DreamDomes have to be built on a concrete slab?
A: The DreamDome can be built on any floor platform, however, all our Kits include a prefabricated FRP ring beam and sub floor system which is easy to bolt together and assemble. The kit comes with an engineered slab and footing design suitable for medium soil types.
What is the best floor and foundation system?
We are very enthusiastic about an incredibly timesaving and exceptionally strong foundation system that does NOT require any concrete called Surefoot. Surefoot saves time and cost and enables the installation of foundations in only minutes.
Q: What does FRP stand for?
A: FRP stands for “Fiber Reinforced Plastics” and refers o a wide range of resin-based composites used for fabricating many high-performance structures and vehicles like boats, airplanes, racing cars, high speed trains and many other high-performance items.
Q: Is it possible to get finance on a DreamDome?
A: We are working on setting up a finance solution for people who don’t want to mortgage their property. It will be like a car or boat finance
Q: How much maintenance is involved with a DreamDome?
A: The inside and outside of the panels are finished in GEL coat material which is an extremely hard-wearing kind of paint. It is much tougher than ordinary paint. The external coating is particularly UV resistant, fire resistant and resistant to most chemicals. The external GEL coat will last 20 years before any significant maintenance when it may only need a polish or wax. The inside GEL coat is similar, making it very easy to clean
Q: How is the DreamDome not damaged by water?
A: All the materials used to fabricate the DreamDome can be immersed in water without any negative effect because they simply don’t absorb water and the materials cannot be damaged by moisture.
Q: How does ventilation work in a DreamDome?
A: In general, every DreamDome comes with a permanently ventilated skylight which does two things. It brings in light and you get to see the stars and the moon at night. It is also a very important aspect of the dome ventilation system. Being a low volume permanently ventilated unit, it allows hot and humid air to ventilate through the highest part of the dome. This feature ensures there is no build-up of stagnant air to cause mold or condensation and no it does not affect the internal comfort of the dome through hot or cold climates.
Q: How effective is the insulation of the domes?
A: PET foam is a ‘closed cell” foam making it one of the most efficient insulation materials. because there is no possible passage of air between the cells it, practically is much more efficient than fiberglass bats for example. the R values stated on this website are according to the Australian standard measurement system that is very different to the American and most other counties. e.g. an Australian R3.0 is generally above the average. Under the US system of measurement, R3.0 would be considered very low.
Dreamdome can fabricate to any thermal performance specification
Q: Can you install the DreamDome yourself?
A: Certainly! We have designed the system to make it easy to assemble a DreamDome. The larger dome will be easier when a light crane is engaged to lift the panels into place. A hoist on a truck is sufficient in most cases.
Q: Can you fix into the walls, hang pictures for example?
A: Yes, you can fix to the walls, but we caution against doing this on the outside unless specifically within our guidelines to ensure weatherproofing integrity. Internally you can drill holes and screw-fix into the panels. The holes made can also just be filled with a touch of resin GEL coat over the top. The dome panels all have a thickened beam running up the sides which are ideal for fixing other structural elements or internal partitions.
Q: How do the panel segments connect?
A: We have developed a unique method of connecting the panels using a concealed mechanical connection and clamping system. You only need one tool that inserts at each lock location to tighten and lock the connection. The edge faces of each panel are sealed by a double neoprene rubber seal to ensure a double water and dust seal. All parts of the prefabricated dome either bolt or fix together using marine grade stainless steel connections so there is never anything that will rust.
Q: How do you install power points and lights?
The panels of a DreamDome have preinstalled conduit for power points and lighting ready for your electrician to wire up
Do you have a relevant question that is not answered here, please let us know and we will post an answer?