Welcome to DomeAcademy and your host, Chris Brown, 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.
To comply with the Australian Building Code, we use basalt fibre rebar. It is lightweight, has twice the tensile strength of steel, is easy to bend and use for domes, and doesn’t rust or degrade – no concrete cancer.
Facilitating, educating, and training builders, owner-builders, and DIY has recently become the focus of my work.
Completed student-built domes and projects that we document in our e-manuals and video courses
More from Chris Brown
The round dome shape is naturally self-supporting with extraordinary inherent qualities. It is the most structurally efficient and superior force distributor.
The dome shape also promotes healing and a sense of well-being by its natural ability to focus energy. Both domes and pyramids have been measured to concentrate this energy.
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. I am currently developing a video series documenting a multi-dome home project for the serious dome builder.
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 to build their rondavels with thatched conical roofs on our land, 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 modern materials and a system that complies with the Australian building code when properly engineered.
A summary of our range of e-manuals and video courses below
The Bamboo Mesh & Render Dome Building E-Manual
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
The Basalt Fibre Rebar No-Mold Dome Building E-Manual
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
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.
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.
With this video course, you also receive:
- 23 narrated video lessons totalling 4 hrs and 20 min that teach the slab-to-finish no-mould process. The Bamboo Dome Building E-manual PDF
- The Basalt Dome Building E-manual PDF
- 3.0m and 3.5m diameter dome printable plans PDF
- Additional technical information ( downloadable PDF)
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.
Purchase entitles you to a permanent membership and FREE updates for life.
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:
- 16 Air Form video lessons totalling 1 hr, 30 min that teach the slab-to-finish Air Form construction process
- Plus 24 video lessons, totalling 4 hrs, 20 min – The No-Mould Basalt Reinforced Dome Building Video Course
- The Bamboo Dome Building E-manual PDF
- The Basalt Dome Building E-manual PDF
- 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.
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
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: