FREE workshop – Learn to build a simple, strong, and cheap concrete Dome house hurricane shelter in less than two weeks, for under EC$4,000

3 Rivers Eco Lodge has proudly partnered with resave.org, to teach people, free of charge, how to build their own hurricane safe Monolithic Ecoshell concrete dome house, using simple, clever and proven technology, that’s easy to understand, and quick to build.

The 9 day workshop, will be spread over two weeks, between Sunday the 26^th February and Tuesday the 7th of March, at 3 Rivers Eco Lodge in Rosalie. Come to all days, or as many as you are able.

HOW IT WORKS.

Basically the idea is simple. Build a concrete foundation platform. Then, using a pump, you inflate the Airform, which is a kind of large balloon, in a big, super strong, dome shape. You then coat the balloon with 2 layers of concrete, followed by the steel replacement reinforcement. Then you add two more layers of concrete, a coat of paint, and your house is ready.

Resave.org, will loan to you FREE OF CHARGE, the airform and pump, so if you want to build one at home, after attending the workshop, the building costs are minimal; a few basic tools, cement, sand, and sweat. In some cases, funding is also available to cover those costs as well.

Click here to download full details of the Monolithic dome house

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE –

Day 1 – Sunday 26th February: Tying down the airform, Building the scaffold to hold the airform up allowing work under it. Positioning the air holes with marked entry way, and Bolting the airform down on the circle with angle irons

 Day 2 – Monday 27th February: Building the door and window frames, Measuring, cutting and assembling frames to desired sizes, Blowing up the airform, Cutting the plywood shapes to match the airform curvature, Test fitting of the frames on the structure, Placing of the galvanized hooks on the frames

Day 3 – Tuesday 28th February: Priming the airform, Blow up the airform, Apply coarse primer to the airform, Grit the primer coat by flicking with fine sand upon application

Day 4 – Wednesday 1st March: Applying  the 1st coat of concrete, Blow up the airform, Mix and apply concrete to the structure, aiming for 1/2 inch coat or what sticks, Keep the airform inflated for  the drying process

Day 5 – Thursday 2nd March : Applying the 2nd coat of concrete,  after the first coat has dried for 24h, while the airform is still inflated, Mix and apply concrete to the structure, aiming for a 3/4 inch coat, Keep the airform inflated for the drying process

Day 6 – Saturday 4th March: Applying the basalt reinforcement and the 3rd coat of concrete, After the second coat has dried 24h. while the Airform is still inflated, wind the basalt ropes through the  hooks around the structure until full coverage, Mix and apply concrete to the structure aiming for 1/2 inch coat or what sticks, Keep the airform inflated for the drying process

Day 7 – Sunday 5th March: Applying the 4th coat of concrete, after the third coat has dried for 24h, the airform is still inflated, Mix and apply concrete to the structure aiming for a 3/4 inch coat, Keep the airform inflated for the drying process

Day 8 – Monday 6th March:: Sealing the airform, Smoothing the concrete surface to the desired texture, Apply two coats of elastomeric coating

Day 9 – Tuesday 7th March:: Painting and finishing the airform,  Applying two coats of paint, Installing the door and windows

IMPORTANT*** – The only way to reach us is by zipline or walking across two rivers – You cannot reach all the way with your transport. 

Lunch is available for USD 12 / EC$ 30, or you can bring your own food and drinks with you.

Overnight accommodation is also available to rent.