A Delightful New Product: The Monolithic Gazebo

New Twist of Old Technology

Using EcoShell I technology, our Vice President and Operations Director, Mike South, recently designed a dome-shaped gazebo that has a 20-foot diameter, is not only quick and easy to build, but is long-lasting, low maintenance and very versatile.

“Once you become familiar with the process and if you have some good help, you can build a Monolithic Gazebo in about four days,” Mike said. “And you can do it by hand using a trowel or just your gloved hand to spread the concrete over the outside of an inflated Airform. That Airform is made of tough fabric so one Airform can be used to build many gazebos.”

Participants in each of our Spring 2010 Workshops found the gazebo-building process relatively simple to learn, interesting and fun.

Materials and Equipment

• Airform – 20-foot diameter
• Fan – to inflate the Airform
• Magic Marker – to mark the gazebo’s three openings
• Concrete – mixture of cement and sand much like we use constructing Monolithic Domes
• Trowel – for spreading the concrete
• Rebar – #2 rebar reinforcing steel

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare the site.

Step 2: Pour the concrete floor and construct the ring beam for attaching the Airform.

Step 3: Attach the Airform to the ring beam.

Step 4: Attach the fan and inflate the Airform.

Step 5: Using Magic Marker, mark openings on Airform.

Step 6: Tie rebar.

Step 7: By hand, cover outside of Airform with concrete, except for 3 openings.

Step 8: After concrete sets, deflate and remove Airform. (It’s reusable!)

Many Uses

Turn the Monolithic Gazebo into an attractive venue for any special event: wedding, birthday party, reunion – even an outdoor business meeting or children’s camp out.

It can be easily and inexpensively decorated. You can insert hooks into the concrete along the outer edge of the gazebo’s main opening, then string lights, fabric, or crepe paper. Or you can attach balloons.