Due to the low temperatures and harsh environment, it’s easy to say life in the arctic is tough. A large amount of fuel is needed to support those who brave the harsh conditions. The cost involved in buying, transporting and storing these large amounts of fossil fuel is substantial.
Taking inspiration from Sweden’s Naturhus, a house-within-a-greenhouse concept, a dome house has been constructed by Solardome Industries on Norway’s Sandhornøya island. The three-level dome house belongs to the Hjertefolger family.
The glass dome covers a house and partial garden. It is capable of withstanding the extreme wind and snow loading conditions of the Arctic Circle.
Here are some specifications of the Hjertefolger family’s little sustainable bubble:
- The dome is about 50 feet (15m) in diameter, has a height of 24.6 feet (7.5m) and is made up of 360 glass panels and it covers the entire house and part of the garden.
- For making it warm and eco-friendly, sand, clay, water and other organic natural materials have been used to build this cob house.
- The structure includes a set of double doors, 6mm single-glazed toughened glass, 11 windows, five of which are digitally controlled.
- Built on three levels, using traditional building methods and recycled products, the home features five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge, kitchen, dining space and even a garage.
- Log burning stove and solar panels are used for maintaining the comfortable temperature and for heating the water tank.
- The dome provides complete weather protection, significantly reduces the loss of heat, and the greenhouse let them to grow plants which would not normally survive in the extreme climate.
