Do we have an ethical obligation to build Monolithic Dome Schools?

[rsouth]

With the frequency of natural disasters continuing to increase, do we have an ethical obligation to build Monolithic Dome Schools?

Premise One: Public building should not over-burden taxpayers.
Premise Two: Schools should be the safest place in the community for children.
Premise Three: Monolithic Domes are disaster resistant and cost the same as conventional construction.

More considerations:

• Savings in energy costs come free with Monolithic Domes.
• Monolithic Dome design is wide open for architectural innovation

Please share your thoughts!!

[CrookedWoodTex]

@rsouth

With the frequency of natural disasters continuing to increase, do we have an ethical obligation to build Monolithic Dome Schools?

I don’t think you have an “obligation” at all; at least in the public realm.

Unless you’re willing to build without a profit motive, I don’t see any other way you can convince a school district to choose what type of structure to build. The lot of them are highly political; local politics included.

While there is evidence of an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, this is influenced by a combination of climate change, improved reporting, and increased vulnerability due to human factors. So, there are mitigating factors involved.

All of your comments and considerations are valid, but are you willing to trade profit for peace of mind?

[CrookedWoodTex]

@rsouth Here’s a possibility for Monolithic Domes to jump into.

River Disaster Safe Room

With a heightened sense of tragedy in our Texas Hill Country Guadeloupe River flooding disaster, I can’t help but think of different scenarios for the future. How would a “large” safe room dome have withstood some of the recent flooding? “Large" would have to be big enough to hold at least 300 folks in an evacuation situation. However, if it would be promoted / financed by many, then I can see needing room for at least twice that many folks. Evacuating 300+ folks in a short time is not an easy…

[MelindaSouth]

Hi

Even Monolithic Domes can’t withstand water unless they are on higher ground. Water is devastating.

Melinda South

[rsouth]

It’s true that a no building can guarantee protection from a major flood like what devastated central Texas this year, HOWEVER, does a Monoltihic Dome have a better than average chance of not being swept off its foundation or being destroyed by debris? Yes.

In the aftermath of a flood, there is every chance a Monolithic Dome will save the owners money when renovating. Interiors can be demoed and rebuilt and cosmetic damage fixed without the building being a total loss.

If we’re talking about flooding of a few inches of water, a Monolithic Dome built with steel studs under the interior sheetrock will for sure cost a LOT less to clean up and live in again.

The dome has a MUCH better chance of standing up against an onslaught of water with debris. It would take a great deal of punishment before being compromised structurally or being swept off its foundation.

[CrookedWoodTex]

@rsouth

The dome has a MUCH better chance of standing up against an onslaught of water with debris.

And this is what I’m thinking, too. This would be made even better if there was some sort of retaining wall/deflector spaced a short distance away from the dome itself.

Well, in light of the newly suggested / adopted Texas regulations, perhaps we’ll get some action.