Going Up: Three Monolithic Fertilizer Storages in Estonia

Monolithic’s Airform being inflated.

Monolithic’s Airform being inflated. (Jan Pregowski)

Monolithic’s Airform being inflated next to the existing equipment.

Monolithic’s Airform being inflated next to the existing equipment. (Jan Pregowski)

Jan Pregowski stands next to newly inflated structure.

Jan Pregowski stands next to newly inflated structure. (Jan Pregowski)

Newly inflated Airform is now ready for construction.

Newly inflated Airform is now ready for construction. (Jan Pregowski)

Airforms are spread over the equipment used to build the dome.

Airforms are spread over the equipment used to build the dome. (Jan Pregowski)

Top of the Airform. Seams are visible from the inside of the structure since the material is translucent.

Top of the Airform. Seams are visible from the inside of the structure since the material is translucent. (Jan Pregowski)

After the primer is sprayed, they can begin to apply the polyurethane foam.

After the primer is sprayed, they can begin to apply the polyurethane foam. (Jan Pregowski)

Polyurethane is sprayed in layers and is typically 3" thick.

Polyurethane is sprayed in layers and is typically 3" thick. (Jan Pregowski)

Airform pictured before it left the factory in Italy, Texas.

Airform pictured before it left the factory in Italy, Texas. (Jan Pregowski)

Jan’s crew gets ready for the first inflation.

Jan’s crew gets ready for the first inflation. (Jan Pregowski)

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform.

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform. (Jan Pregowski)

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform.

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform. (Jan Pregowski)

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform.

Here the crew is pictured spreading the Airform. (Jan Pregowski)

Now the pre-mat is installed. The pre-mat is a sacrificial layer of rebar that is installed and embedded with concrete. The pre-mat gives an initial structural layer and a mounting platform for the balance of the structural rebar.

Now the pre-mat is installed. The pre-mat is a sacrificial layer of rebar that is installed and embedded with concrete. The pre-mat gives an initial structural layer and a mounting platform for the balance of the structural rebar. (Jan Pregowski)

Door with Airlock. The Airlock is the only means of entering and exiting the dome while it is inflated.

Door with Airlock. The Airlock is the only means of entering and exiting the dome while it is inflated. (Jan Pregowski)

Initial shotcrete is sprayed to embed the pre-mat.

Initial shotcrete is sprayed to embed the pre-mat. (Jan Pregowski)