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African designs inspire "groundbreaking" dome house
13/11/09
Edited by Bob Witham. Designs from Africa have inspired a Midlands-based entrepreneur's plans for cost-effective dome houses that could provide everything from high-spec sheds for UK gardeners to vital low-cost housing in the developed world.
Jay Emery, who came to Britain from South Africa in 1989, got the idea for his glass-reinforced dome houses during a visit to Thailand, where temporary housing was prone to collapsing or being washed away.
Inspired by African pot houses, he developed a design for a stable, low-cost alternative that could be produced by his manufacturing firm Dingley Dell Enterprises, the Berrow's Worcester Journal reports.
The recession forced the original backers of the project to withdraw, but thanks to a Proof of Concept grant from regional development agency Advantage West Midlands, Mr. Emery has been able to build a demonstration unit at Bishops Wood environmental centre near Stourport-on-Severn.
Dome houses meet aid agency guidelines by providing 30 square metres of living space. Furthermore, they do not need planning permission and meet UK Building Regulations.
The house at Bishops Wood is pre-wired for electrics and will be used as a community centre for campers at the site.
