July 18, 2008—Two dome-topped school buildings under construction in Dibble, Oklahoma, are expected to increase energy efficiency, provide more weather safety and ease overcrowding in the McClain County school district, retired school Superintendent Bill Bentley said.
The buildings, projected for completion in February, are the latest in Oklahoma to adopt plans to incorporate monolithic domes, which are well-insulated, steel-reinforced concrete structures.
The Monolithic Dome Institute of Italy, Texas, was subcontracted to build the domes; JWS Construction of Mustang was contracted to work on the other parts of the buildings.
Oklahoma has eight schools with monolithic domes, more than any other state in the nation, according to the Monolithic Dome Institute Web site.
“These are the buildings of the future,” said David South, president of the Monolithic Dome Institute. “They can stand through wind, rain, tornadoes, fire, anything.”
Bentley said energy efficiency also was a deciding factor in choosing the domes. For about eight months, school board members researched alternative building plans and found that the monolithic dome plan is the most efficient.
The district expects the bills for heating and cooling will be about half what they would be for a traditional building and separate storm shelter. For more information, see the Monolithic Web site.
