Though milder than previous years, 2013 saw its share of extreme weather, the increasingly alarming phenom that experts say might explain a growing trend in home design — dome-shaped houses.
The design, which CNBC contributor Linda Federico-O’Murchu describes as a “simple yet ingenious way†for homeowners to minimize their vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis, are sweeping the nation apparently and are as curvaceous as they sound.
“The domes’ balanced shape is self-supporting and strong enough to withstand the force of an EF5 tornado, a monster hurricane or a powerful earthquake,†Federico-O’Murchu writes. “Dome buildings made of concrete can deflect falling buildings and flying debris, even airborne trees and cars. Plus, the roof won’t blow off.â€
Florida’s “Hurricane Alley†is home to one such property, nicknamed “The Super Dome,†which homeowner Valerie Sigler says would have to see winds over 300 miles per hour before any damage ensues.
Check out these other storm-resistant homes, below, and more on why your next home may look like a snow globe over at CNBC.
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Cappadocia Caves In Goreme, Turkey
Our first stop is in Gerome, Turkey, where the cave dwellings of antiquity still serve as modern-day homes. A natural wonder rich with history and tradition, the Cappadocia region continues to use these cavernous structures for day-to-day living and even a href=â€http://www.cappadociacavesuites.com/enâ€offers hotels for tourists/a to live the experience.
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Yposkafa n Santorini, Greece
In Santorini, Greece, the village homes are called “yposkafaâ€, or “incave homes,†structures that were literally built into large boulders. These sprawling cave homes (which are still lived-in today) are more than impressive. Hotels such as the a href=â€http://www.ariscaves.gr/hotel/index.php?lang=enâ€Aris Caves/a can even accommodate a stay in one of these beautiful spaces.
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Troglodytes In Loire, France
a href=â€http://www.experienceloire.com/troglodytes.htmâ€Loire Valley/a has had cave dwellings for quite some time. Referred to as “troglodytesâ€, these carved out spaces continue to serve as modern-day homes. For a full tour of one of these caverns, be sure to follow this man as he walks you through his humble abode in the accompanying video.
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Guayadeque Caves In Gran Canaria, Spain
You’ll probably be surprised to learn that Spain’s Canary Islands have some of the most well-preserved cave dwellings. Found in the Guayadeque Ravine, these cave communities (yes, these caverns are used as churches and restaurants as well as homes) serve as a href=â€http://suite101.com/article/the-cave-houses-in-gran-canaria-a62072? major tourist attractions/a.
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Cave Dwellings In Loess Plateau, China
An estimated 30 million people live in cave dwellings in Yanan, China–and they’re quite happy with their lot. Some spaces are even equipped with modern utilities such as electricity. For more information, watch the accompanying video and be sure to check out the a href=â€http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/18/world/la-fg-china-caves-20120318?LA Times’ coverage/a on these fascinating communities.
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The Cave House In Bisbee, Arizona
This magnificent, earthy residence wasn’t originally suitable for building a home. But when owner Catherine Clark found out her neighbor could start construction on the site, she took advantage of the opportunity and made the Bisbee Cave Home possible.
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Flintstones House In Malibu, California
And of course, we could never leave out Fred and Wilma’s Stone Age digs! Dick Clark’s “Flintstones Home†is certainly one of the most unique living spaces we’ve seen, and if you’re interested in the residence you’ll be happy to know that a href=â€http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/dick-clark-flintstones-home_n_2679402.htmlâ€it’s up for grabs/a!
