Lloyd, we have talked to each other before. Your resolution concerning domes for houses came about the same time as it hit me in the head too! The resolve was your 1972 Shelter book, which led me to a 50 year experience as a building Contractor / Carpenter. It is truly a Master Piece of work, and a gem to the Art of building structure's. Thanks again for leading the way into a life experience that has been part of the intuitive nature of the existence of mankind since its inception. Once again, Cheers to you, Lloyd Kahn...
Great article! I was a 17 year old in 1968 helping to build a dome in Rosendale, NY. And then I had an older friend who lived in one. I was intrigued but not impressed...From there - via a circuitous route- I ended up staying with a Masai tribe in Tanzania and visited their mud and wattle rounded homes which the women built. One mzee (old woman) showed me how it all worked. What an eye opener! From there to living in Kyoto and seeing their unique farmhouses out in the country. I never forgot. Lloyd, your subject of shelter is needed now more than ever I think. Keep going!
You meant no harm. You also pushed out the learning curve on this aspect of building. Good for you on many levels. Now we will see if certain groups of people will have the courage and insight to change their political views. People always need to be involving. Everyday of life we should be learning since life is always changing.
I was always a big geodesic enthusiast, so when I read Refried Domes a few years ago it was a pretty hard pill to swallow: especially the part where I knew you were speaking from hard won experience.
I spent years designing my own fly’s eye geodesic as a work of art, and I’ll probably complete it given the chance; but that I conceive of as a kind of temple, rather like the chapel at Sea Ranch.
My favorite alternative buildings are those of cob, especially ones like SunRay Kelley’s temple at Harbin. I love the way you can sculpt the surfaces and lay mosaics in them.
Love this insight into how you became who you are.
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)"
I want to point out something that might challenge some of the audience of this post. There are many ways in which it's a waste for somebody talented to go into investing rather than building things. We only need so many people working on making the allocation of capital more efficient. But in the very specific sense described in this essay, working in investing is good for personal character. Entrepreneurs can spend years pursuing false beliefs, and in many ways the lionization of the character of entrepreneurs is misplaced — the result of survivorship bias — because a stubborn and intelligent believer can find an almost infinite number of ways to explain and justify why they're right in the face of evidence to the contrary. An investor, on the other hand, will not survive long if they are unable to admit when they're wrong in an investment thesis, and markets will condition a person actively to seek evidence that contradictions their beliefs in a way that almost nothing else can.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, I so enjoyed reading this. So many people get stuck in their ego and are terrified of admitting when they're wrong. You demonstrate the courage and class it takes to live according to your values.
I'm in UK I'm a bit disappointed as they do look beautiful but having seen a couple living in one on a you tube channel they do not seem to be very practical for living in day to day. But they are pretty! I read The Friends of The Earth Handbook in 1970 (yes there was one) and as a result vowed never to own a car. I've kept that vow but it has seriously restricted my life and if you don't drive a lot of people assume it's because you are stupid. In my case they could be right. But I dont take all the preaching in the media on 'changing our ways'. I already did. And the preachiest lecturers are car owner/drivers so I totally ignore them. If EVERYBODY lived like me we might Save The Planet but for most people life wouldn't be worth living!
Great article and the photos you shared here look so cool 😎
I lived in a community farm (hippie commune, I suppose) and we had a small dome in a paddock where I taught yoga. It was just the wood and screen - like an indoor/outdoor vibe.
I’m wondering - because they’re such beautiful structures - is it possible to build them using sustainable materials to lessen their impact if they degrade?
I love that this is a lesson in admitting when we are wrong. I wish more people would learn that and not look down on people who, after further consideration and data, change their position.
I was enamored with domes back then, but a decade younger so I never built or lived in one, feeling a bit that I'd missed out. Thanks for the perspective all these years later!
Lloyd, we have talked to each other before. Your resolution concerning domes for houses came about the same time as it hit me in the head too! The resolve was your 1972 Shelter book, which led me to a 50 year experience as a building Contractor / Carpenter. It is truly a Master Piece of work, and a gem to the Art of building structure's. Thanks again for leading the way into a life experience that has been part of the intuitive nature of the existence of mankind since its inception. Once again, Cheers to you, Lloyd Kahn...
Makes it all worthwhile when I hear things like this!
Great article! I was a 17 year old in 1968 helping to build a dome in Rosendale, NY. And then I had an older friend who lived in one. I was intrigued but not impressed...From there - via a circuitous route- I ended up staying with a Masai tribe in Tanzania and visited their mud and wattle rounded homes which the women built. One mzee (old woman) showed me how it all worked. What an eye opener! From there to living in Kyoto and seeing their unique farmhouses out in the country. I never forgot. Lloyd, your subject of shelter is needed now more than ever I think. Keep going!
You meant no harm. You also pushed out the learning curve on this aspect of building. Good for you on many levels. Now we will see if certain groups of people will have the courage and insight to change their political views. People always need to be involving. Everyday of life we should be learning since life is always changing.
What a wonderful post about not being doctrinaire, about learning and changing. Thank you!
Looks like both of my role models were in that issue of Life!
True Freedom
I was always a big geodesic enthusiast, so when I read Refried Domes a few years ago it was a pretty hard pill to swallow: especially the part where I knew you were speaking from hard won experience.
I spent years designing my own fly’s eye geodesic as a work of art, and I’ll probably complete it given the chance; but that I conceive of as a kind of temple, rather like the chapel at Sea Ranch.
My favorite alternative buildings are those of cob, especially ones like SunRay Kelley’s temple at Harbin. I love the way you can sculpt the surfaces and lay mosaics in them.
Love this insight into how you became who you are.
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)"
I want to point out something that might challenge some of the audience of this post. There are many ways in which it's a waste for somebody talented to go into investing rather than building things. We only need so many people working on making the allocation of capital more efficient. But in the very specific sense described in this essay, working in investing is good for personal character. Entrepreneurs can spend years pursuing false beliefs, and in many ways the lionization of the character of entrepreneurs is misplaced — the result of survivorship bias — because a stubborn and intelligent believer can find an almost infinite number of ways to explain and justify why they're right in the face of evidence to the contrary. An investor, on the other hand, will not survive long if they are unable to admit when they're wrong in an investment thesis, and markets will condition a person actively to seek evidence that contradictions their beliefs in a way that almost nothing else can.
Thanks Lloyd, well said.
Lloyd, structural integrity looks a lot like intellectual honesty. Swapping shows a builder’s version of good posture.
I’m curious; after decades of trial and error, which single design principle has held up strongest in your own home?
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, I so enjoyed reading this. So many people get stuck in their ego and are terrified of admitting when they're wrong. You demonstrate the courage and class it takes to live according to your values.
I'm in UK I'm a bit disappointed as they do look beautiful but having seen a couple living in one on a you tube channel they do not seem to be very practical for living in day to day. But they are pretty! I read The Friends of The Earth Handbook in 1970 (yes there was one) and as a result vowed never to own a car. I've kept that vow but it has seriously restricted my life and if you don't drive a lot of people assume it's because you are stupid. In my case they could be right. But I dont take all the preaching in the media on 'changing our ways'. I already did. And the preachiest lecturers are car owner/drivers so I totally ignore them. If EVERYBODY lived like me we might Save The Planet but for most people life wouldn't be worth living!
Check this out, Lloyd. My favorite line from this is, "Do you know what being wrong feels like? It feels like being right!"
https://youtu.be/QleRgTBMX88?si=aNBASCoUnLVy6O8R
Great article and the photos you shared here look so cool 😎
I lived in a community farm (hippie commune, I suppose) and we had a small dome in a paddock where I taught yoga. It was just the wood and screen - like an indoor/outdoor vibe.
I’m wondering - because they’re such beautiful structures - is it possible to build them using sustainable materials to lessen their impact if they degrade?
Thanks again for sharing! 🙏🏼
I love that this is a lesson in admitting when we are wrong. I wish more people would learn that and not look down on people who, after further consideration and data, change their position.
I was enamored with domes back then, but a decade younger so I never built or lived in one, feeling a bit that I'd missed out. Thanks for the perspective all these years later!