When I developed the process of building our ultra-thin Shell Domes, it was with solving the problem low-cost housing in mind.
Coming from South Africa, I have witnessed the 'Shanty Towns' and slum dwellings first hand. My Parents were very involved in many Fund Raising Events to rebuild some of the Townships around Johannesburg and the Charitable Orphanages associated with this type of living.
Whilst labour is cheap in the third world, there is so much corruption and back-handed dealings that very often the funds are whittled away until almost nothing remains. The goods that are then purchased for the construction are so highly sought after for the shanty dwellings that it is literally stolen in broad daylight!
For example we have known of houses that have had the roof stolen during the night.
Apart from the very low cost of construction,one of the best things about the Dome Home is the small amount of materials required. This together with the high speed of construction and the fact that once a Dome has been has been built,the resulting home has no residual value other than that as a home.
There are no roof panels to be pilfered and the windows fit the Dome and no other house!
We have patents pending on the construction process and have made worldwide PCT applications to protect any early investments in this very viable process.
The Proof of Concept Dome (as seen in the pictures)was built by just 3 people during 2009 and took less than 2 weeks to construct and finish each stage of the main construction - 3 coats of concrete took just 4 hours to complete!
We firmly believe that it is possible for 10 people to build 10 houses in just 10 days, using 4 Construction Kits.
We have taken this construction process to the next level instead of using expensive concrete spraying equipment the domes can now be built with completely unskilled labour. an ideal solution to labour employment and house building and if labour is in plentifully supply then there is no reason that they can not be built as fast if not faster than using spraying equipment
We are currently actively seeking investment from organisations/individuals to help build a Pilot Project of just 20 Dome Homes. Once we have successful completed this program,there are several large International Aid Agencies who have expressed an interest in building our type of Dome Home world wide in both Organised Housing Programs and Secondary Disaster Relief.
If you are interested in our Project or know of anyone who could help us realize this dream please call us today.
This Is Zulu's Home.
One morning in January 2011 I drove around the sleepy village of Verlliers Dorp just off the garden Route in the western Cape.
I came across this informal settlement (shanty town, or squatters camp) I was taking pictures of the homes for this presentation when I spotted this little house being built so I went and asked the man about his home.
His name was Zulu he was from Qwa Zulu Natal and had come to the western cape to pick fruit he had no where to live so he had been sleeping rough and building his home with what he could find. Using traditional techniques that he had been taught as a boy he was packing a mixture of cow dung mud and straw on to a lattice of sticks that had been tied together .
I stopped and spoke to 27 year old Zulu for about half an hour, he was polite and helpful and he spoke excellent English but that is not what impressed me the most he was confident and knew what he was doing and what's more he was making a good job and building a good home with the materials that he had.
I was excited. Here was a man who had no formal construction knowledge just some hand down experience yet seeing what he had made I knew that in no time at all I could teach him the skills he would need to build one of my domes and it would not blow away in the wind.
All around his home were other informal houses that had been built by people with similar skills all of whom could build a dome home
A home built by the people for the people
I have a vision that with the help of people like Zulu and your support we can build 1 million homes within 10 years ! What would it take for you to share that vision?
