CONCRETE DOME ARCHITECTURE / CONSTRUCTION and PROJECT COORDINATION. The Concrete Windome System (CWS) is the best choice for creating safe, healthy, sustainable facilities of the future. See partial Project list at bottom of page.

SEG and CWI call this system the Concrete Windome System (CWS) and others call it the monolithic dome system. This Concrete Dome system is a composite system that reflects a Seventy year history of research and design achievements. Reinforced thin shell concrete design used extensively in Europe and South America was followed 42 years ago by the use of sprayed urethane insulation as a structural material. Then single ply sheet roofing material was shaped and inflated to simplify the forming of certain thin shell forms, primarily the dome form with modifications. Upon erection of the sheet roofing material, the interior was sprayed with the urethane insulation and clips were inserted into the urethane. Then steel rebar was attached to the clips and the interior was then sprayed with high strength concrete.

Concrete Windome Construction

Many public and private organizations across this country that require permanent economical, extremely safe facilities, have now completed or are in the process of constructing this type of facility. See section on Dome Construction Phases.

Advantages of the Concrete Windome System over Conventional Construction for Class A facilities

FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS

Design

No interior columns or support walls are required, allowing for completely flexible interior space. Can hang second and third floors, if desired, from the dome.
Natural light is easily provided by windows and skylights without violating the integrity of the structural system.
Large span capabilities accommodate large and /or many related functions
Acts as a slope retaining structure, if required, as it can be completely covered with earth, making it a natural part of the landscape.
Has unlimited height potential (As many floors as required).
More efficient use of space.
Sound proof.
Top of Dome can be left open and closed with an air dome that can be quickly erected. No air doors are required.

Cost - Less expensive due to:

Faster construction due to the simplicity of the system.
After construction of the tensile ring, all work is preformed indoors.
Dome Assembly is simple as it integrates roof and wall planes reducing the need for structural connections, complicated roofing details and exterior waterproofing.
Dome shapes require less cubic footage of material to provide the same floor space as traditional structures.
The major material concrete, is both universally available and easily recyclable.
Smaller HVAC system is required because of shape, materials used and their location.
Eliminates the need for a sprinkler system in most every case.
Lower design,construction and interim financing fees due to lower project cost and shorter construction schedule.
Major cost savings that increase with size for facilities that are larger than 120 feet in diameter.

Operations Savings

No concern with roof or wall leaks that cause mold and interior damage.
50% to 75% savings in energy costs (heating and cooling).
Termite proof.
Greatly reduced facility maintenance costs, from the ongoing high costs of traditional building roof, wall and interior repair caused by building movement.
Facility durability reduces replacement costs.

A Safe, Secure and Healthy Environment

Biochemical Conditions

Major reduction in the incubation of mold and other harmful bacteria.
Elimination of off-gassing of hazardous or toxic substances.

EMF, RFI and Nuclear Radiation

The CWS is a natural insulator of unwanted and harmful electromagnetic fields and radio frequency interference. The system can eliminate these pollutants and significantly reduce nuclear radiation contamination.

Safety

Industry proven and code approved building system.
Indestructible / resistant to earthquakes, hurricanes, tornado's, straight line winds and man made assaults. The Concrete Windome is a safe haven for the community-at-large by providing emergency shelter and enhancing relief efforts in a time of crisis.
Resistant to high humidity and corrosion from airborne particulate
Resistant to mold that has caused sick building syndrome in some conventional facilities.
One piece construction. Air tight if required for product protection.

Security

The CWS can withstand rifle fire, grenade fire, flying debris and vehicle impact.

It can be designed to withstand vehicle and IED bombs.

The structure will maintain its structural integrity if exposed to exterior fire, with the interior remaining cool to the touch.

THE CONCRETE WINDOME SYSTEM IS the perfect solution for the following types of facilities, all of which have basic Emergency Response capabilities.

Schools and other educational facilities
Churches
Arenas for Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Baseball, Wrestling, Softball, Football, Soccer, Rugby and Tennis
Arenas for Hockey and all other Ice events
Swimming Pools
Convention Centers
Cold Storage and all other types of Storage structures
Bus and Maintenance Garages
Aircraft Maintenance facilities and Terminals
Municipal and Emergency Response Facilities
Shopping Centers
Large Manufacturing facilities using heavy mobile equipment
Zoo facilities
Horse barns and equestrian arenas
Civic Facilities including Jail and other types of detention architecture
Gaming Facilities
Single Family Homes, Motels and Residential communities
Medical Clinics

As Architects who have produced over 2,000 traditional buildings, we believe that the time has arrived for a change in the aesthetics of permanent multi-use architecture. Consequently, we design each new Windome facility with a fresh, exciting and appealing appearance. Since Concrete Dome structures are natural forms, we appropriately mold them into the surrounding environment by using the functional and aesthetic potential of the many Dome forms and the terrain.

In addition, Concrete Windome's architecture, which takes advantage of the various curved forms, adds a new and vibrant excitement to the many activities that take place in such a facility. This is especially true where the facility's curved shapes reflect the stability of Emergency Response Centers, or the motion of athletic activities, or the dynamics of the theater / auditorium, or enhances the educational excitement that takes place within such a facility.

Dome facilities can be attached to traditional structures as additions if necessary for expansion purposes, or Dome structures can be attached together.

As initial construction costs and ongoing and increasing energy and maintenance expenses now play an increasingly greater role in our society's ability to finance the facilities that it requires to function properly, it is understandable that the Concrete Windome system is becoming the system of choice as it affords major economic advantages, over traditional / conventional column / beam and truss designs.

One hundred percent construction and/or permanent financing is available for many types of facilities

At SEG, we believe that schools and many other facilities of the future will embrace this advanced Concrete Dome construction technology, and in so doing provide clients with facilities that are economical, durable, safe, flexible and exciting. Spaces in which people participate with enjoyment and satisfaction.

Projects

Schools

K-6 Elementary School Minneapolis, Minnesota

Multi-Purpose Sports Arena Duluth, Minnesota

Church of the Redeemer Saint Paul, Minnesota

Prototype Shopping Center

Elliptical Church and School

Prototype Ice Arena

Proposed Metropolitan Transit Garage, Maintenance and Office Facility

High school Athletic Facility Westonka, Minnesota

Proposed Casino Northern California

Concrete Catadome Arenas