Welcome to DomeAcademy and your host, Chris Brown, Co-Founder, CEO of Domeshells Australia.
Over the past 25 years, I have been developing the simplest ways to construct thin concrete dome shell structures using bamboo and engineered basalt fibre rebar reinforcement systems. Our dome building systems are designed and developed for every kind of extreme.
An insulated, thin concrete dome shell structure offers serenity and comfort under high-vaulted ceilings in a high-thermal-mass environment and the knowledge that you are protected.
Domeshells has pioneered the use of basalt fibre reinforcing bar for reinforcing its shells. You can also reinforce a concrete dome with standard reinforcing steel. The reason we use basalt rebar is that it is lightweight, is easy to bend around compound curves, has twice the tensile strength of steel and doesn’t rust or degrade – no concrete cancer. For additional information about Domeshells architectural and structural design services, visit the Domeshells Design Services page.
The dome shape is naturally self-supporting with extraordinary inherent qualities. It is the most structurally efficient and superior force distributor.
The e-manuals and videos document several hands-on dome-building workshops using bamboo and basalt systems, both with and without the aid of an air-form. A video course documenting a multi-dome home project for the professional dome builder is currently in production.
Facilitating, educating, and training builders, owner-builders, and DIY has recently become the focus of my work.
Our Range of E-Manuals and Video Courses
The Bamboo Mesh & Render Dome Building E-Manual
View student-built Bamboo Domes and projects documented in our e-manual
Chris Brown instructing at the 3.5m bamboo and mesh dome building workshop in Byron Bay in 2016 3.5m Bamboo Dome Building Workshop Byron Bay Cement render in process at the 3.5m bamboo and mesh dome building workshop in Byron Bay in 2016 A 3.5m bamboo and mesh dome shell is complete, built by students at a week-long workshop in Byron Bay in 2016 The finished 3.5m bamboo and mesh dome built by students at a week-long workshop in Byron Bay in 2016 Internal bamboo, ferrocement 3.5m student-built dome Byron Bay 
Internal student-built bamboo, ferrocement 3.5m dome Byron Bay 
Where it all started. The Mentigi Bay Resort domes in Lombok. Under construction: a 7.0m bamboo dome frame in the process of being meshed and rendered 
The Mentigi Bay Resort domes in Lombok. Under construction: a 7.0m bamboo dome frame fully rendered 
Lined with brick pavers, 7.0m bamboo dome at Mentigi Bay, Lombok Inside a 7.0m bamboo mesh and render dome at Mentigi Bay Resort in Lombok 
Internal 7.0m Bamboo mesh and render dome with mezzanine at Mentigi Bay, Lombok Student, Shannon McCabe, 7.0m bamboo dome, design Bali, 2015. Student, Shannon McCabe, 7.0m bamboo dome, Bali, 2015. Bamboo frame ready for mesh and cement render Student, Shannon McCabe, 7.0m bamboo dome, Bali 2015. First layer of cement render Student, Shannon McCabe, sitting on top of his 7.0m bamboo dome in Bali 
Inside Shannon McCabe 7.0m dome in Bali looking down from the mezzanine
Project Scope: This manual teaches a low-technology bamboo, mesh, and render method and includes plans and sections for a 3.5 m diameter dome, a materials list, quantities, and sourcing guidance. It is most relevant to small shelter, studio, demonstration, or training projects where suitable bamboo and materials are locally available.
The current terms state that this bamboo system does not comply with the Australian Building Code. It should not be presented as an approval-ready Australian house package
The manual details the construction of three actual projects, including 7.0m-diameter domes in Lombok, an earth-covered cave, and a 3.5m-diameter studio built by 7 students over 7 days in Byron Bay, Australia.
Purchase entitles you to permanent membership to receive FREE updates for life.
Get the Bamboo Manual
The Basalt Fibre Rebar No-Mold Dome Building E-Manual
View student-built 3.0m Basalt Reinforced domes and projects that we document in our e-manuals and video courses
Students at a 3.0m dia. dome building workshop at Murwillumbah NSW in 2021 Domeshells Murwillumbah 3.0m diameter dome building workshop 
Students applying cement render at the 3.0 m dome workshop in Murwillumbah, NSW in 2021 Domeshells air-form 3.0m dome building workshop at Murwillumbah 2023 
Entrance to a 3.0m diameter basalt-reinforced dome built by students at a week-long workshop in 2021 Window view of a 3.0m diameter basalt-reinforced dome built by students at a week-long workshop in 2021 
Picture hangs on the wall of a 3.0m diameter basalt-reinforced dome built by students at a week-long workshop in 2021 Inside a 3.0m diameter basalt-reinforced dome built by students at a week-long workshop in 2021 A 3 x 8.0m dome home designed by a Domeshells student Domeshells student-designed multi-dome home at Coffee Camp NSW 2018 Student-designed Coffee Camp three, eight-metre dome home under construction 2018 Shotcrete of student-designed Coffee Camp 3 x 8.0m dome home 2018 Student-designed interior Coffee Camp centre 8.0m dia dome 
Student designed Coffee Camp 8.0m basalt-reinforced dome interior
Project Scope: This manual documents the complete construction of a 3.0 m-diameter basalt-fibre-reinforced dome by seven students during a six-day training workshop.
It teaches the slab-to-finish no-mould process in 113 pages of detailed images and instructions that include:
- 113-page PDF Manual
- 3.0m diameter dome printable PDF plan set file in scale at A3
- Basalt Fibre Rebar Technical Information PDF
- Polymer Modified Mortars and Concrete Mix Design PDF
- SBR Bonding Agent – Technical Data PDF
- Viscqeen Ecomembrane Technical Data PDF
Get the Basalt Manual
Purchase entitles you to permanent membership to receive FREE updates for life
The course is intended to help DIY and trade learners understand and practice the Domeshells method on a small project. It is educational training, not a site-specific council-approval package or a complete habitable house design. A habitable or site-specific project requires appropriately qualified design and engineering, as well as local approval.
E-Manuals Bundle: Bamboo & Basalt Together
Project Scope: Get both the Bamboo and the Basalt Dome Building E-Manuals.
Having both manuals will deepen your understanding of the construction system’s principles and how it is adapted to two different material systems.
Access both foundational and advanced dome building methods.
Learn to work with different materials and techniques for diverse applications.
The current terms state that the bamboo system does not comply with the Australian Building Code. It should not be presented as an approval-ready Australian house package
Purchase entitles you to permanent membership to receive FREE updates for life.
Get both construction methods
Online Video Courses
The No-Mould Basalt Reinforced Dome Building Video Course
Project Scope: This video course complements the Basalt Fibre Rebar E-Manual with video lessons of the complete construction of a 3.0 m-diameter basalt-fibre-reinforced training dome by seven students over a six-day workshop.
Includes:
- 23 No-Mould video lessons totalling 4 hrs and 20 min
- Plus both E-Manuals and resources
- Technical information ( downloadable PDF)
- 3.0m and 3.5m dome plans
- Purchase entitles you to a permanent membership and FREE updates for life.
Get the basalt no mould video course
The course is intended to help DIY and trade learners understand and practice the Domeshells method on a small project. It is educational training, not a site-specific council-approval package or a complete habitable house design. A habitable or site-specific project requires appropriately qualified design and engineering, as well as local approval.
The Air Form Method Basalt Fibre Dome Building Video Course
Scope: The Air Form Method – Explore an alternative, advanced method of dome construction using air forms with basalt reinforcement. This course is designed for those looking to expand their expertise beyond the no-mould method, offering insights into different structural approaches.
Includes:
- Start with 23 no-mould video lessons, totalling 4 hrs, 20 min
- Plus 16 Air Form video lessons totalling 1 hr, 30 min
- Plus Both E-Manuals
- 3.0m and 3.5m diameter dome printable plans PDF
- Additional technical information ( downloadable PDF)
- Purchase entitles you to a permanent membership and FREE updates for life.
Get the Airform video manual
Professional Lifetime: All Existing & Future E-Manuals & Video Courses
Includes Lifetime access to the new Professional Dome Builder video course currently in production
Receive all the training manuals, plans, and documents together with the two video manuals PLUS access to the new Professional Dome Builder video course that is currently in production
More from Chris Brown
I was brought up in a semi-primitive environment on a farm in South Africa in the 50’s. As a young boy, I helped Zulu farm workers build their rondavel with a thatched conical roof, using a wattle frame, mud, and cow dung. I loved the round space, and I guess it’s always been ingrained in me how, by using the simplest materials, it’s possible to build a strong, safe shelter.
I have applied these principles to using modern materials with bamboo and a system using basalt fibre reinforcing bar (or steel) that complies with Australian National Construction Code when properly engineered.
Why Choose DomeAcademy?
Our courses and e-manuals are rooted in over 25 years of hands-on experience by Domeshells Australia founder, Christopher Brown. We are dedicated to sharing practical, real-world knowledge that empowers you to build structures that are: