There?s something inherently cozy about geodesic dome homes. Maybe it?s their rounded profiles, which are reminiscent of J.R.R.Tolkien’s hobbit houses. Maybe it’s the fact that these little structures are often placed in scenic locations like forests and lakefronts. Popularized by Buckminster Fuller back in the 1950s and 60s, geodesic domes are strong but lightweight thanks to their “omnitriangulated” surfaces. They’re also prime candidates for prefabrication, a process that eliminates most of the mess, noise, and waste caused by standard construction techniques. Prefab dome homes can be made from several different materials and are often sold in kits for DIY assembly in a location of one’s choosing.

Recently, a Slovenian company put its own spin on the geodesic dome home with its “Smartdome” series, which features four models all designed for different climates. “Sky Domes” are raised off the ground by a large central pillar, while “Aqua Domes” are intended for installation over water. “Tree Domes” are covered in foliage to blend into forest environments, and “Snow Domes” are built to withstand cold weather conditions. On their website, the company has shared a series of illustrations that depict their domes built into hillsides, set on elevated walkways and decks above the tops of trees, and clustered together in larger, interconnected communities.
Of course, the company?s...