My name is Lawrence Leitgeb. I am a builder specializing in shotcrete (sprayed concrete) whose focus is concrete homes. My qualifications include building a complete concrete dome home from ground to a finished product as well as building the shells of other domes.
While by and large I specialize in building concrete dome homes, I by no means focus on domes or even homes exclusively. I can build shops, sheds, storage facilities, water "towers," and even airplane hangers. I also spray concrete fences, stucco, artistic sculptures and waterfalls. The possibilities are almost endless.
The miracle is in the shotcrete. Ounce for ounce it is stronger and more resilient than poured concrete. With a few additives, shotcrete can be catered to your specific needs.
There are other home builders who are able to undercut me in price, but they do so by cutting "corners." Keep in mind that the concrete home could conceivably survive 200 years and become a family heirloom to pass down to the grandkids. Also keep in mind that the dome is only as strong as its weakest link, and when that storm is approaching, you want to have the utmost confidence. For these reasons, I like to take the time to do the job right.
In regards to dome homes, the first corner other builders will cut is to only pour the ring beam.
(The ring beam is the "wall" that runs around the circumference of the dome that the airform attaches to.) This makes sense if you are building a gymnasium.
For a home, it makes more sense to pour the ring-beam and the foundation together. This makes for a stronger home.
Plus I fear that it might prove too difficult to pour the floor later. For a gymnasium, the entrance to the building is large enough for a concrete truck to drive right inside. How do you get the concrete inside a home? Do you place the truck's concrete chute through the windows? Can you maneuver the concrete truck completely around the dome? Screeding (leveling) the concrete too will be more difficult as well if done later.
It makes more sense to pour the two together. But to do so requires more planning. The plumbing all has to be in place exactly as specified by the blueprint. Many other builders do not want to be bothered by this detail leaving it as a chore for the homeowner.
The second corner other builders cut is not to plan ahead. I like to build my homes with the future in mind. This takes time and expense.
For example, I prefer to run conduit (one for electric and one for cable/telephone) around the entire circumference of the dome. This allows flexibility. Should twenty years from now fiber becomes the "wire" of choice, the owner will have the ability to strip out the old and put in the new. A much cheaper and faster way to build is to simply embed the wire into the concrete making it a permanent part of the structure. Lacking this flexibility will devalue the home over time.
I am able to provide a quality product in a reasonable amount of time. If quality is what is important to you, allow me to provide you with a quote for your dream home whether it be dome-style or more conventional.
The multimedia presentation below shows more of my home.
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