A Collaborative Vision for Multifamily Monolithic Domes
This guest post presents a Monolithic Dome enthusiast’s vision buoyed by the ideas of architect Rick Crandall. We think the concept is worth sharing and exploring, so we offered Brian A. McLoughlin of Green Dome Living this space to tell his story.
Green Dome Living: A Monolithic Dome Apartment Tower Project Concept
Horizontal stripes add a sense of motion to this rendering of a Green Dome Living multifamily residential property.
Monolithic Domes first grabbed my attention in September 2004. Hurricane Ivan destroyed most of Pensacola Beach, FL. However, the stunning, beachside Monolithic Dome known as “Dome of a Home” was virtually unscathed. It was all over the news. After reading one article, I immediately purchased the book, Dome Living: A Creative Guide for Planning Your Monolithic Dream Home, by David B. South with Freda Grones. I fell in love with Monolithic Domes.
Originally, Monolithic Domes piqued my interest because of their ability to survive severe hurricanes. Reading through Dome Living and monolithic.org provided a comprehensive understanding of this outstanding technology’s many benefits. Growing up in a coastal region and following national weather news, I’ve witnessed severe storm-related loss. Balancing those losses, I’ve also enjoyed the spectacular beauty that understandably draws people to the coasts despite weather risks.
In 2002, I took a class titled Geology of Natural Hazards. While not part of my business studies, it was easily one of my favorites. It covered all natural hazards. If I knew of Monolithic Domes at the time, I would have suggested to my professor that Monolithic Dome technology should be added to the course materials. The reasoning would have been clear: If you’re teaching about all natural hazards, then it’s worth covering the building type most likely to survive those hazards—the Monolithic Dome.
Benefits of a Monolithic Dome:
- Disaster resistance (tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires)
- Low maintenance (termite, mold, and rot proof)
- Lower insurance costs
- Energy efficiency (50%+ cost savings can pay for building over time)
- Material efficiency
- Superior indoor air quality
- Indefinitely long lifespan
If you’re like me, those are benefits you want in your own home. And yet…
In 2024, I replaced the asphalt shingle roof on my stick-built house. In 2023, I repaired rotted wood around my windows. The list goes on. You probably know what that feels like. I’ve long known there’s a better building technology. Yet here I am in 2025—still not living in a dome. The dream of my own Monolithic Dome home remains out of reach, as it does for so many.
Building a single-family dream dome home is out of reach for most people due to time, costs, zoning, permitting, and more. I began thinking of a possible solution—a silo-style, Monolithic Dome apartment complex. The idea came from years of following the Monolithic Dome Roundup, along with inspiration from two specific projects, Elkhart Ammonium, and Ozinga Cement.
Elkhart Ammonium Nitrate Storage
Ozinga Cement Facility
- Ozinga Port of Palm Beach – Riviera Beach, Florida, USA
- Ozinga Inflates State-of-the-Art Cement Facility at Port of Palm Beach
In March 2023, I reached out to the Monolithic Dome Institute with my idea for a silo-style multifamily dome tower. They connected me with renowned architect Rick Crandall. To my surprise, Crandall had been working on nearly identical concepts for over 20 years. His private portfolio included sketches very close to my own.
Rick Crandall's Monolithic Dome Apartment and Hotel Tower Concepts
Architect Rick Crandall has been creating concept drawings for Monolithic Dome apartment buildings and towers for two decades. The following sketches and floorplans scratch the surface of his original ideas.
[Left] SeaCoast Condos—A Crandall concept. The little village is designed to be walkable and features two-level condos with parking below. [Right] A concept for a multifamily Monolithic Dome complex done in watercolors by Crandall.
Crandall’s sketches for a coastal development of two and three-level townhomes.
[Left] A Monolithic Dome multi-floor hotel floorplan by Crandall. [Center] Crandall’s sketches for a proposed hurricane resistant housing project. [Right] Crandall designed this floor plan for a series of residential dome towers, connected by open walkways. Alternatively, stairs could be placed outside the towers to free up more space inside for apartments.
Green Dome Living: A Concept Born from Collaboration
Crandall’s and my own shared vision gave birth to the initial design for the Green Dome Living project concept, developed by Sustainable Development+.
Indoor Courtyard and Atrium
The indoor garden of the ground-floor community space is a symbol that nature is always at the heart of Green Dome Living. Soaring 58 feet above the garden are the atrium’s light tubes and ceiling painted a Crandall-approved “Sky Shell” blue. The result is an interior that feels expansive and open, while still providing the strength and safety of a Monolithic Dome.
[Left] Under the atrium skylight, a green courtyard welcomes residents to relax by waterfalls and natural light. [Center] The garden courtyard sits at the center of the dome tower, lit from above. [Right] Walk the loop around the water feature to relax, boost your mood, and stay mindful. It also connects you to everything—stairs, elevator, gym, lockers, co-working space, concierge, bar, game room, kitchen, and lounge.
[Left] No more dark, cramped hallways with doors on both sides. Instead, enjoy open, well-lit walkways as you head to your apartment. [Center] The atrium’s light tubes and blue-sky ceiling bring natural light and an outdoor feel inside. [Right] Delight in the indoor garden’s natural beauty from every floor of the building.
A New Kind of Multifamily Living Space: The Design
At the heart of Green Dome Living’s concept is a deep appreciation for nature. The centerpiece of the main floor is an indoor garden courtyard, complete with waterfalls, bench seating, and natural light pouring in through a 58-foot overhead light shaft. Light tubes on the roof distribute that sunlight to the apartment walkways and courtyard below.
The dome roof is painted in the “Sky Shell” style, long promoted by Rick Crandall, creating the feeling of being under an open sky.
Main Floor Community Areas and Project Ammeneties
Picture yourself enjoying top-notch features like an indoor garden with waterfalls, a co-working space, a gym, the pool, a rooftop terrace, lounges, shared kitchens, and a game room.
[Left] Take a break in the indoor lounge—great for quiet chats or reading. [Center] Keep work and home separate and take advantage of this sleek co-working space with seats for up to 26. It includes desks and round tables for focus-work or meetings. [Right] Get to know your neighbors in the game room featuring billiards, foosball, and ping-pong—designed for upbeat socializing.
[Left] Whether it’s wine, coffee, or mocktails, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the moment. [Right] The shaded poolside lounge offers some of the best seats around for casual hangouts or a community barbecue.
Green Dome Living is designed as a true community. Premium amenities include:
- Co-working space
- Fitness center
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Rooftop terrace
- Indoor and outdoor lounges
- Social cooking areas and a bar
- A shared game room with billiards, foosball, and ping-pong
Each apartment floor features a continuous circular walkway, wrapping around the central light shaft. That openness fosters visibility and connection, reminiscent of the equality represented by King Arthur’s Round Table. The unbroken ring reflects the dome’s shape and symbolizes the project’s deeper commitment to stewardship, nature, and future generations.
Renderings of Apartment Interiors
[Left] The 410 square foot studio apartment’s sleeping nook includes a full bed, built-in closets, a desk/vanity, and integrated storage. [Right] The 410 square foot apartments include a private balcony—perfect for morning coffee or unwinding at night.
With 820 square feet of space designed for comfort and connection, these two-bedroom apartments feature a bright living room and a large kitchen that receives natural light from both sides.
Who It’s For—and How It Works
Green Dome Living is designed to serve a wide range of people. The varying apartment sizes and accessibility features make it a strong fit for individuals, couples, families, seniors, and those with disabilities. From young professionals to retirees, the goal is to build something welcoming, inclusive, and adaptable.
While this first project is planned as a luxury offering—with premium finishes and community amenities—future versions may focus on affordability. The strategy follows a principle called brand laddering: start at the top, and it’s easier to move down than up. Offering affordable dome living is part of the long-term mission. Everyone deserves access to structures that are durable, efficient, and built to last.
Ownership and rental options are intentionally flexible. Some units will be available for pre-sale, helping finance the first project. Others will be offered as short- or long-term rentals. Condo owners may choose to rent their units, making it easier to manage carrying costs while introducing more people to dome living.
This hybrid model isn’t just practical—it’s aligned with the broader vision of making Monolithic Dome housing more accessible to more people over time.
Residential Level Sample Floor Plans
Nine units are included per floor: one 1,090 ft.², four 820 ft.², and four 410 ft.² apartments.
[Left] The floorplan for the 820-square-foot apartments features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a well-appointed kitchen, a balcony and a laundry closet. There will be twelve of these units per building. [Center] There are three 1,090-square-foot apartments per building in a Green Dome Living community. Each includes two bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms, laundry space, ample closets and a great room with a large kitchen, dining space and living room leading out onto the balcony. [Right] The floorplan for the twelve studio apartments in a Green Dome Living tower features a dedicated work space, a kitchen/dining room that flows into the living space (leading outside to a private balcony), a sleeping nook, and a full bath with a washer/dryer.
Where Should We Build First?
Green Dome Living is currently exploring potential launch sites, with top contenders including Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Puerto Rico.
These locations make sense because they share the following characteristics:
- High population growth
- Rising demand for resilient, high-efficiency housing
- Frequent exposure to extreme weather
- Streamlined regulatory environments
Florida, Texas, and Arizona all have growing populations, escalating housing needs, and a shared vulnerability to extreme weather. These factors make them natural locations to demonstrate what dome housing can do—not just in terms of comfort and beauty, but in resilience.
Puerto Rico stands out for me. The town of Rincón, a laid-back coastal community in the island’s northwest corner, was on my mind from the beginning. I love to surf, and I’ve always been drawn to Rincón’s unpretentious charm. But more than that, I remember the devastation left behind by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
My experience witnessing the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 made a lasting impression. It’s part of what drives my desire to build in places where durable, efficient homes aren’t just a luxury—they’re a necessity.
However, Green Dome Living isn’t just about one building in one specific place. It’s about proving what’s possible, then replicating that possibility wherever it’s needed most.
This is a project rooted in community. So we’re asking:
Where would you like to live in a multifamily dome?
What city or region needs one most?
Let us know your thoughts by visiting the Green Dome Living Contact page.
[Left] Green Dome Living offers the safety of a Monolithic Dome with the feel of a high-end resort. [Right] Infographic provided by McLoughlin details the project’s specifications.
Final Thoughts
From a young age, I heard people say, “They don’t make things like they used to.” Eventually, I learned the name for that: planned obsolescence—the idea that products are designed to wear out so we’ll replace them. That mindset has seeped into our homes, our infrastructure, even our expectations.
My grandfather was an electrical engineer. One of his proudest contributions was helping develop the abort guidance system for the Lunar Module—technology that helped bring the Apollo 13 crew safely home. Good engineering saves lives. Monolithic Domes are an example of that kind of engineering.
There’s a poster of the Lunar Module above my desk. I look at it often and think, “Your grandfather helped put humankind on the Moon. What will you do?”
For me, Green Dome Living is one answer to that question. It reflects the values I believe in: independence, resilience, responsibility. When you build well, you protect not just yourself, but your community. When enough communities are strong, we build a more secure, sustainable nation.
Our greatest duty is to future generations. To build something better—and leave it standing. To give our children homes that endure, and neighborhoods that hold up when the storms come.
Monolithic Domes—durable, efficient, and timeless—help make that vision real. Let’s build it—together.
More information can be found on GreenDomeLiving.com. Green Dome Living’s YouTube Channel features a detailed video tour.
Editor’s Note:
This is not an endorsement of any entity, plan, or project. We are not soliciting investment or support; this post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advertising or advice. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of the Monolithic Dome Institute.
Whether you’re watching a rocket launch in Texas or Florida, enjoying a sunset over the ocean in Puerto Rico, or counting the stars above the desert in Arizona, the rooftop observation deck is the perfect place to take it all in.
The circular rooftop deck sits at the edge of the low-profile dome. Curved benches invite you to relax, while stainless-steel wire railings keep views wide open and secure.