Palo Pinto Dome: Eleven Years in the Making

Palo Pinto Dome — By January 2008, this Monolithic Dome home was nearing completion.

Palo Pinto Dome — By January 2008, this Monolithic Dome home was nearing completion.

Great Room — It’s open and spacious with separate areas for comfortable living and gracious dining.

Great Room — It’s open and spacious with separate areas for comfortable living and gracious dining.

Living Space — The 2400 square feet include 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, great room, kitchen, laundry and spacious loft.

Living Space — The 2400 square feet include 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, great room, kitchen, laundry and spacious loft.

Dining — The dome includes areas for both casual and formal dining.

Dining — The dome includes areas for both casual and formal dining.

Finished Kitchen — Custom made, hickory cabinets provide beauty as well as storage.

Finished Kitchen — Custom made, hickory cabinets provide beauty as well as storage.

Floor — The wood in this easily maintained kitchen floor compliments the wood used for the cabinets.

Floor — The wood in this easily maintained kitchen floor compliments the wood used for the cabinets.

Efficient — Appliances and furnishings are efficiently placed, making this a comfortable work area.

Efficient — Appliances and furnishings are efficiently placed, making this a comfortable work area.

Decorative balusters — A forward S and a backward S enhance the wrought iron balusters.

Decorative balusters — A forward S and a backward S enhance the wrought iron balusters.

Heading up! — This lovely stairway leads to the loft. Its banister and stair treads are made of red oak.

Heading up! — This lovely stairway leads to the loft. Its banister and stair treads are made of red oak.

Bedroom — This dome includes a master bedroom and a guest bedroom.

Bedroom — This dome includes a master bedroom and a guest bedroom.

Shower — The tile shower in the master bath includes a built-in shelf and safety rail.

Shower — The tile shower in the master bath includes a built-in shelf and safety rail.

Guest bath — An efficient use of space provides all the necessary comforts in this guest bathroom.

Guest bath — An efficient use of space provides all the necessary comforts in this guest bathroom.

Master bath — A wall of mirrors sits above the double sink and custom cabinets in the master bath.

Master bath — A wall of mirrors sits above the double sink and custom cabinets in the master bath.

Hobbies — Sharon and Terry share space in the loft for their hobbies.

Hobbies — Sharon and Terry share space in the loft for their hobbies.

Roof windows — They can be opened to provide fresh air as well as light.

Roof windows — They can be opened to provide fresh air as well as light.

Welcoming entrance — A Texas Star dominates the decorative, cut-glass inserts in this ornate front door. Soft lighting adds a glowing warmth and welcome.

Welcoming entrance — A Texas Star dominates the decorative, cut-glass inserts in this ornate front door. Soft lighting adds a glowing warmth and welcome.

A dream-come-true! — It has a diameter of 50 feet and a height of 20 feet, including a two-foot-high stemwall.

A dream-come-true! — It has a diameter of 50 feet and a height of 20 feet, including a two-foot-high stemwall.

Long time coming! — In April 2007, the Airform for Sharon and Terry Smiths’ Monolithic Dome home was inflated and the Monolithic Constructors’ crew began building. The Smiths first began their research for energy-efficient, green housing in 1996, so their Palo Pinto Dome was 11 years in the making.

Long time coming! — In April 2007, the Airform for Sharon and Terry Smiths’ Monolithic Dome home was inflated and the Monolithic Constructors’ crew began building. The Smiths first began their research for energy-efficient, green housing in 1996, so their Palo Pinto Dome was 11 years in the making.

Snow-covered Palo Pinto Dome — The Smiths’ Monolithic Dome home stays cozy and warm even during record snowfalls.

Snow-covered Palo Pinto Dome — The Smiths’ Monolithic Dome home stays cozy and warm even during record snowfalls.