Skip to content
BioDome

Floor Plan

28m² in a circle. The dome shape naturally creates zones: the center is for standing and activity, the edges are for resting and storage. Work with the shape, not against it.

Suggested Layout

Section titled “Suggested Layout”
  • Center zone (0-1.5m from center, ~7m²): Living space. Table, chairs, central heating if used (rocket mass heater or wood stove). Full headroom.
  • South arc (kitchen, ~5m²): Kitchen counter along the south wall near a window. Passive solar gain warms this zone in winter.
  • Sleeping platform (north arc, ~6m²): Low platform (30-40cm high) built against the north wall where the ceiling slopes down. The low ceiling over the platform is comfortable for lying down.
  • Entry zone (at door + wind porch, ~5m²): The wind porch provides ~2m² of enclosed airlock space for coats, boots, and weather transition. Inside the dome, a further ~3m² serves as the entry landing.
  • Storage perimeter (~7m²): Shelving and hooks around the lower walls where headroom is 1-1.8m. This ring of storage defines the interior zones without needing partition walls.
Circular floor plan showing zones: center living, north sleeping, south kitchen, east entry, and storage perimeter.
Fig. 12 — Floor plan with suggested zones: sleeping (north), kitchen (south), entry (east)
Detailed floor plan rendering with zone dimensions and furniture placement
Detailed floor plan: zone dimensions, built-in furniture, and circulation paths

Design Principles

Section titled “Design Principles”
  • Door orientation: Face east or southeast. Morning sun warms the entry. Away from prevailing winter rain (which comes from the west/southwest in Portugal).
  • South window: Largest window on the south side for winter solar gain.
  • North side: No windows needed. Use this wall for the sleeping platform.
  • Built-in furniture: Benches and platforms following the curve are more space-efficient than freestanding furniture.
  • Heating: A small wood stove with chimney exiting through the dome wall (not the apex vent) is the most practical. Size it for the space — 28m² needs a very small stove.