Monday, March 19, 2018

A Different Adventure


As you all know, I rarely write about anything other than travel. But not all adventure is travel-based. My Auntie Judy decided to move to an independent, senior living type of complex. At 82 she was finding it more and more difficult to maintain her property in the mountains, so she put her home up for sale. Then came the big shock... She passed away before she could move into the fancy place down in Redding. I guess it's good because she got to pass away at home with her kitty by her side (who now lives with us).

Well, she left her home to me and as tempting as it is to keep it, it's just too far away and really not feasible for us. That leads me to the current adventure. We've finished moving her stuff out of the house and it's show-ready.

Here's the problem, it's a unique. Really unique! Have you ever heard of geodesic domes? Well she had two of them. Side-by-side, identical domes attached by a shared laundry room. We have a tenant on one side, which makes a great source of income. He's been there for 8 years, so unless you want him to leave he's content to stay.

For those of you who've read this far, you may be curious why anyone in their right mind would build a geodesic dome. I was, so I did some research and learned about the function and history of this little super-structure. So, here you go Geodesic Dome 101:

Geodesic: Shortest possible line in a dome.
Dome: half a sphere.
Polyhedron: multi-sided, not a smooth dome.
Geodesic dome: a dome constructed of short struts following geodesic lines and forming an open framework of triangles or polygons.

To give credit where credit is due, the principles of its construction were described by Buckminster Fuller. This pair of homes, or duplex, is made in the classic design first popularized by Fuller in the U.S.. He coined the term “Geodesic Dome” in the late forties. Our domes were built in 1979.

Because of the triangular design this structure is incredibly strong. In fact it’s frequently built to provide emergency shelter when just about everything else has been destroyed.

Why would anyone want a geodesic dome for a house? Several reasons actually:

1. It’s one of the strongest structures built by man, especially for its size and weight. It is built with triangles—an extremely strong polyhedron.
2. It’s less expensive to heat and cool because it has less surface area for transference.
3. It’s easier to decorate than a spherical dome because it has flat surfaces, not rounded.

4. There is no need for support beams whatsoever. Therefore if you want a bigger or smaller room you can have the walls moved without fear of destroying the integrity of your home.

5. If you are and artist or have a green thumb, the lighting possibilities are endless.
6. In this case of two domes, one can be a home and the other side an artist studio or a greenhouse.
7. Or you can rent the other side out for additional income, which allows you to travel and be away for weeks at a time (an important feature for a home in the country).

8. For you survivalists, this is 3.09 acres fenced in around the structures. It has a giant RV port, two carports and a double-deep, triple-wide garage with a two-car garage door. Extensive rugged sheds are near the domes, plus a chicken coop and animal stalls in the woods (but within the fencing). Plus the domes are almost zombie-proof!

9. It has a laser detection system to alert you when someone comes through the gate (on foot, in a car, or even if they climb the gate).
10. Between the geodesic domes is a laundry room with interior entry doors, allowing you to go from dome-to-dome without having to trudge through the snow or heat. This room has two more exterior doors, therefore it’s an excellent mud-room.

11. Last but not least… Location, Location, Location. Located in the tiny community of Lewiston, CA, it’s a 30 minute drive to Redding and twenty minutes from Weaverville. It has a good small town elementary school, and is nestled in the Trinity Alps for endless outdoor activities.

If you have questions please ask me or contact Shannon Aikins.



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2 comments:

  1. This is indeed a unique home. My Aunt Judy took very good care of it and maintained her property year round. It sits snug on the hill off the road, which makes for a nice quiet cozy lifestyle. I lived in Lewiston for 18 years. I can honestly say that I missed the warm welcoming community and the beauty that surrounds it. As a single mother I raised my son in Trinity County. Although it is a 30 to 45-minute drive to Redding there are plenty of local resources and amenities. The surrounding communities Harbor a hospital, dental and Chiropractic services, high school and elementary schools, grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, post offices, and a cute little movie theater. I was gainfully employed the entire 18 years that I resided there and enjoyed most all of the year-round community activities and events. My only hope is that this precious little home ends up in good hands.

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    1. Thanks Debbie, it's good to hear from someone who lived there for so long.

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