The contiguous images illustrate an unique and beautiful dome house that belongs to the photographer and musician Steve Areen. The musician relates that for years he has been inspired by the creative ideas of his friend, Hajjar Gibran. In 2011, while being on a visit in Thailand, to his friend, he was taken up by the beauty of the dome-shaped houses built by this one. In order to build his own dome, Gibran and his wife, offered a place at their mango farm to Steve. As an additional information, we know that Hajjar Gibran is the nephew of the illuminated Khalil Gibran, author among others of the books of “The prophet” and “Jesus, son of man”.
In six weeks, with the help of his Gibran friend and his son-in-law, Steve Areen built this dome house. The cost for the basic structure was under $ 6,000. A few weeks were necessary for details, finishes and supplies, such as screens, doors, pond, upstairs structure, stonework and landscaping. All this including the furniture were about $ 3,000, driving up the total costs of the house at $ 9000. Steve Areen says that he probably would not have tried this construction if it would have required a longer time, but he was attracted by the low cost and efficiency of cement blocks and bricks of clay.
The musician has proposed himself that in the future he will certainly use this design that is accessible, fast, beautiful and fun in order to build dome houses with more durable materials, good insulators that would be comfortable even in the case of colder climates. Hajjar Gibran has developed a method for producing blocks of beaten earth to continue building more efficient homes in similar styles. Steve Areen’s dom house is a little piece of heaven. Enjoy the photos!
