COST: $150–$195 per sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: A circular shape that reduces wind pressure and metal straps that tie down the roof
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and powerful winds
Photo: Deltec Homes
10/10
The North Carolina-based company has built more than 5,000 houses around the world, many of which have survived powerful hurricanes, including Ivan, Katrina, and Sandy.
COST: $150–$195 per sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: A circular shape that reduces wind pressure and metal straps that tie down the roof
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and powerful winds
Photo: Deltec Homes
9/10
Deltec’s materials, which include dense lumber and reinforced steel, are ultrastrong. Metal straps tie the entire roof of a round house down to the foundation so that it doesn’t lift off during a storm.
COST: $150–$195 per sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: A circular shape that reduces wind pressure and metal straps that tie down the roof
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and powerful winds
Photo: Deltec Homes
8/10
Wind flows around a Deltec house instead of through it, according to Steve Linton, Deltec’s president. About 30% less wind pressure builds up on the outside of a round house than on a traditional rectangular house.
COST: $150–$195 per sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: A circular shape that reduces wind pressure and metal straps that tie down the roof
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and powerful winds
Photo: Deltec Homes
7/10
Deltec’s circular houses can resist wind more easily than traditional rectangular houses.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Paul Tinsley
6/10
MDI constructs 80 buildings a year, and Clark expects that number to grow as extreme weather events become more common.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Paul Tinsley
5/10
This dome house on stilts survived Hurricane Irma without damage.
The company has made many other types of round buildings, including churches, schools, theaters, and health clinics. It's working on a planetarium in Hawaii.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: The Monolithic Dome Institute
4/10
Local homebuilders apply the finishing touches, like flooring and electrical systems. The dome’s shell is made from concrete, polyurethane foam, steel, and nonstretchable polyester fabric. Construction takes six to eight weeks, not including finishes.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Dwi Oblo
3/10
To build a house, the MDI inflates a dome-shaped balloon using air pressure. The team then sprays on poly foam for insulation, installs reinforcing steel, and sprays concrete in multiple layers on the interior.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: Barry Byers
2/10
Compared to a traditional box-shaped house, the dome’s roundness distributes air pressure more evenly around the roof and facade. That means a standard dome house can withstand wind speeds up to 300 mph.
COST: $125–$135/sq. ft.
HOW IT WORKS: Durable concrete and a round shape that reduces wind pressure
PROTECTS AGAINST: Hurricanes and flooding
Photo: The Monolithic Dome Institute
1/10
The Monolithic Dome Institute (MDI) has been designing superstrong round buildings since 1975. The structures can weather all kinds of climate disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, according to Gary Clark, the MDI’s VP of sales.
