List of Monolithic Commons Content

Raymore-Peculiar Gym and Safe Room

The Raymore-Peculiar High School constructed a Monolithic Dome gym and safe room as part of a larger expansion. Originally, the school planned safe “spaces,” but the cost to harden these areas increased to where building a Monolithic Dome safe room was a better solution—and they got a gym in the process. … read more

2026 Monolithic Dome Research Park Tour

Oct

17 Oct 2026 | Sat @ 10 AM–3 PM

Come and tour the houses, offices, and shops at the Monolithic Dome Research Park in Italy, Texas. This FREE tour is open to the public on October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes the famous Bruco: The Texas Italian Caterpillar. … read more

Bruco the Caterpillar: Monolithic’s Fabric Structures Manufacturing Plant

Bruco, the Texas Italian Caterpillar, houses Monolithic’s Airform and fabric structures manufacturing facility. The 14,000-square-foot caterpillar-shaped Monolithic Dome consists of seven interconnected domes. “The Caterpillar” (as it is referred to by everyone at Monolithic) crawls alongside the northbound lanes of I-35E, 45 miles south of Dallas in Italy, Texas. … read more

A Dome of Their Own: Twenty-Five Years in the Dreaming

By Kiesa Kay

Daniela and Ion Bonea began dreaming of a dome home when they lived in Ontario, Canada, back in 1999. For the next twenty-five years (give or take), they kept that dream alive and vowed that someday, they would have their own dome home. … read more

Fairview Valley Monolithic Dome Home

Fairview Valley Dome is a 2,550-square-foot Monolithic Dome home located in Fairview, North Carolina, just outside the city of Asheville, North Carolina. … read more

Inflation of the Bonea Family's New Dome Home

By Mike South

On August 24, 2023, we sent Javier Figueroa and his crew to North Carolina to begin construction of a new Monolithic Dome home for the Bonea family. The Boneas have had dome dreams for many years. Ion (pronounced Jon) Bonea told us he first became interested in domes almost 30 years ago after visiting us here at the Monolithic Dome Institute Research Park in Italy, Texas. … read more

Prepare for Real-World Emergencies—Not Doomsday

Aerial view of "Bruco: The Texas Italian Caterpillar.".

By Dave South

When the Dallas Observer wrote about the Monolithic Dome Research Park, they connected the domes to prepping for doomsday. That misses the point. We are not preparing for the end times; we are preparing for the end…of a good book, curled up on the couch, peacefully reading while a storm rages outside. … read more

Celebrating 50 Years of Monolithic Domes: A Retrospective in Pictures

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By Rebecca South

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Monolithic Dome by scrolling through this photo journal of favorite dome moments! This retrospective is a highlight reel, a rough timeline, and a Thank You for making the last 50 years so fantastic. … read more

Monolithic Constructors, Inc.

Monolithic has 50 years of Monolithic Dome building experience. We are the original Monolithic Dome construction company that built the first Monolithic Dome in 1976, which resulted in patents for the process and the beginning of a new international industry. … read more

Monolithic Airform Manufacturing

Inside Bruco, the Texas-Italian Caterpillar.

Monolithic Airform Manufacturing is the fabric architecture manufacturing division of Monolithic Constructors, Inc. They have provided Airform membranes for thousands of domes in all 50 states and dozens of countries—from the Arctic to the tropics. … read more

Monolithic Dome Airforms

The Airform is the key component in Monolithic Dome construction. Manufactured from architectural fabrics made of a polyester or nylon base and coated with PVC, an Airform membrane is inflated to create the shape of the final structure. Once inflated, layers of foam, steel rebar, and shotcrete are applied to the interior surface to create the finished building. The Airform is left on as a waterproof roofing membrane and as a base for exterior coatings. … read more

Glow-Up on I-35E: The Reinvention of a Texas Icon

By Mike South

Bruco, the famous Texas-Italian caterpillar, recently underwent an exterior renovation, including new boots and a redesigned face by the granddaughters of David B. South, inventor of the Monolithic Dome and creator of the original structure. The 30-year-old manufacturing facility is a caterpillar-shaped Monolithic Dome and a popular part of the Monolithic Dome Research Park and Central Texas landscape. … read more

Bruco—a Very Busy Caterpillar-Shaped Fabric Structures and Airform Manufacturing Plant

By Freda Parker

Bruco’s seven, 60-foot, interconnected domes encompass 14,000 square feet of factory space, housing a state-of-the-art, laser-guided, 200-foot-long RF welder that heats and seals fabric pieces using high-frequency electromagnetic energy, computer-guided cutting machines, and various industrial sewing, grommet, and sealing machines. … read more

Vista Dhome For Sale [Sold]: Barry Braswell Reflects on the Legacy of His Legendary Monolithic Dome Home

By Kiesa Kay

Barry Braswell is carefully looking for new stewards for his family’s iconic Monolithic Dome Home situated on 40 acres in the untamed foothills of the San Bernadino Mountains of California. Built by Braswell and his uncle, Vista Dhome is 4500 square feet and features a spectacular view. … read more

The New OCC Planetarium Inspires with Immersive Atmosphere and Galactic Design

By Kiesa Kay & Dave South

After ten careful years of discussion and development, Orange Coast College modeled its new planetarium on our spiral Milky Way galaxy and placed a Monolithic Dome at its center. … read more

Solar Success: How the Triple Dome Became a Model for Clean Energy

By Kiesa Kay

BYU’s Triple Dome, featuring a Monolithic Dome structure, showcases advanced energy efficiency and sustainable design. Built by over 50 students, this innovative eco-friendly home highlights BYU’s dedication to practical, hands-on learning in green building technologies. … read more

Your New Favorite Airbnb—Sedona Domes!

By Kiesa Kay

On the edge of Sedona, Arizona, greeting travelers driving the Red Rock Scenic Byway, is Sedona Domes, created originally as “Xanadu of Sedona” in the early 90s. The Arizonan landmark has taken on a new identity with its current owners, Laura Lee and Paul Robear. The couple updated the historic Monolithic Dome home and share it with others via their highly-rated, popular Airbnb. … read more

Building on Faith: How a Three-Dome Campus Helps Living Word Bible Church Thrive

By Kiesa Kay

Drs. Tom and Maureen Anderson built Living Word Bible Church with three Monolithic Domes 30 years ago, turning a bold vision into a thriving, 15,000-member community. Their faith and innovation made it an iconic landmark in Mesa, Arizona. … read more

Keeping up with the Domeses