Retro Renovation

Remodeling, decor and home improvement for mid century and vintage homes

We help you find products and design inspiration to remodel and decorate your home in mid-century and vintage style. Get ideas for your kitchen... or your bathroom... tour a time capsule... and share in a like-minded community passionate about their old houses. Read More.
  • Home
  • Be Safe!
  • Kitchen Help
  • Bathroom Help
  • Other Rooms
  • Decorate
  • Exterior
  • Culture
  • Pam’s Kitchen
follow retro renovation on facebook

  • Home » Mid Century Culture » time capsule homes » 1964 Styrofoam dome house built by Robert Schwartz, a student of Buckminster Fuller

    1964 Styrofoam dome house built by Robert Schwartz, a student of Buckminster Fuller

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email Newsletter

    Posted by: pam kueber • June 15, 2011

    dome house made of dow corp. styrofoam

    Here’s an amazing time capsule house, first spotted by Retro Ruth of No Pattern Required: The 1964 Dome House in Midland, Michigan — now for sale for the first time since it was built by the original owners, architect Robert Schwartz and his wife Barbara. Robert Schwartz was a student of Buckminster Fuller, father of the geodesic dome.  According to this informative story in the Midland Daily News, which gave me permission to feature a few of their photos:

    living room of dome house by protege of buckminster fullerThe shell of the house is made of foam — Styrofoam, manufactured by The Dow Chemical Co., which furnished the foam in exchange for cost information from Mr. Schwartz, who already had considered the concept of a hemispherical abode. At the prompting of his college mentor, R. Buckminster Fuller, Schwartz pursued the idea and Dow agreed to the experimentation. Schwartz was one of a handful of students Fuller was using to design geodesic domes for U.S. Marines Corps housing. In this case, the domes were made of cardboard and airlifted by helicopters.

    kitchen in dome house influenced by buckminster fullerDow had developed a “spiral generation” machine that allowed for “spinning” a dome from Styrofoam. The machine rotated long pieces of four-inch thick Styrofoam in a circular manner that eventually became a dome. The foam was bound together with intense heat. A layer of concrete averaging two inches thick was sprayed on the dome using the Gunite method. The exterior was finished with a coat of Dow acrylic paint and a coat of Dow Corning Corp. sealant. It took only 14 hours to spin the … dome….

    office in dome house made of dow chemical styrofoamThe story also points out that because its construction and materials, the house is very energy efficient. Well, what’s old is new again: Let’s build more of these, that Buckminster Fuller was a genius!

    Where to see more photos, and additional links:

    • Midland Daily News story. Thanks also, Kevin Prior, for permission to show a few of your photos.
    • The real estate listing includes more photos (link now broken but redirects here) — the price, $325,000 — and a link to the realtor if you are in the market. This house is dreamy!

    Related stories

    No related posts.

    Comments 37
    Be-Safe-graphic2.3

    Commenting: Information

    Note: All comments are moderated, generally within 24 hours. By using this website you are agreeing to the site’s >> Terms of Use, << which include commenting policies, and our >> Privacy Policy. << Before participating, read them in full.

    Comments

    1. gabby says

      June 16, 2011 at 7:07 pm

      Being a native Californian, I’ve been in my share of schlocky ill-designed dome interiors. I’m not against domes per se, just haven’t found most of them too pleasant inside.

      I recant my former position. This house is gorgeous inside and out. The open plan downstairs has the best of what good MCM offers-almost seamless transition to the outdoors. The issue with domes is usually what happens around the edges, but this house nails it! I love the expansive wrap around desks in each of the upstairs bedrooms. They look super practical, but also inviting. And I can think of a zillion things to do with that awesome 3rd story in the dome.

      This one is really neat. I’d love to feel what it’s like to look out in the winter. Come to think of it all that organic white-it-tude would look pretty cool in the snow from outside as well.
      Very, very well done.

      Reply
    2. Shea says

      June 18, 2011 at 10:44 am

      I love this house. I am very interested in the styro. and the machine that made it. Can it be done with post consumer plastics? Will Dow allow the use of this tech. for future construction? I was very impressed that it only took 14 hours to complete the exterior of the the house. I have always been a big fan of domes and hope to own one.

      Reply
    3. gsciencechick says

      June 18, 2011 at 1:29 pm

      This is awesome! It looks move-in ready. So many cool features. Love the royal purple carpet on the stairs.

      Reply
    4. Northside CJ says

      June 19, 2011 at 10:11 am

      Very impressive design! I think dome homes are fascinating. That one especially so!

      Reply
    5. Rebecca Prichard says

      June 24, 2011 at 12:45 pm

      Great story!

      Reply
    6. Elizabeth says

      October 13, 2012 at 7:41 pm

      This is such a fantastic house. I love everything about it except I might change a couple of colors here and there. I love the carpet going up the stairs and the way the light fills all the space. The clean lines of this 60’s Architecture fills me with Joy! When I was little I wanted to grow up and live in a house like this. So fantastic! It truly is a time capsule and one that I am overjoyed that I stumbled upon. I hope that whoever buys this house doesn’t change much about it. It needs to remain as it is. Thank you so much for the video! You made my day!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


    • BE SAFE / RENOVATE SAFE!
      Get informed and be aware about the environmental & safety hazards in old homes, materials and products. #1 RULE: Consult with your own properly licensed professionals. More info: See our Be Safe/Renovate page... EPA asbestos website ... EPA lead website ... U.S.F.A. – fire safety, etc.
    website-bottom-banner-pam-kateFINAL

    Important Reader Information

    • Terms of Use: By using this website you are agreeing to the site's terms of use. Read them here in full.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosures: How I make money
    • Contact

    Copyright 2019 © Retro Renovation®, all rights reserved. Please do not use any materials without prior permission.