Zome houses use environmentally friendly materials that are waterproof, mold-resistant, and fire-resistant up to 1,200 degrees Celsius.
The American company Zomes has introduced a model of a convex polyhedral house called Zome that can withstand harsh natural conditions and last for up to 500 years, as reported by New Atlas on November 3rd. Brothers Shereef and Karim Bishay, the leaders of Zomes, were inspired to create the house in response to the increasing wildfires in California.
A Zome house with a total cost of $75,000. (Photo: Zomes)
Shereef and Karim Bishay wanted the new house model to be not only sustainable but also environmentally friendly. Therefore, the protective shell made from multiple overlapping concrete panels of the Zome is composed of bio-ceramic cement, which is said to be carbon-neutral (with net carbon emissions into the atmosphere equal to zero). Meanwhile, the production of Portland cement, the most commonly used cement worldwide, is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
The house measures 24.6 square meters, and the interior features bamboo panels and formaldehyde-free adhesives. Rubber seals around the doors, windows, and other gaps ensure that the house is airtight. The insulation made from sheep wool in the walls helps regulate the indoor temperature.
Inside the house with a standard diameter of 5.8m. (Photo: Zomes).
The use of concrete and several other materials helps the exterior walls of the Zome resist water, mold, pests, and prevent rot. The house will not collapse under the weight of accumulated snow and can also withstand fire with heat resistance up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. However, this does not mean that the occupants inside are unaffected by such high temperatures.
Zome is assembled at the factory according to the specifications requested by the buyer within two days. After that, the staff will transport the house to the installation site. The house is ready for use within a week. If the buyer wishes to relocate, they can disassemble and move it to another location.
The price of a Zome is approximately $75,000, including shipping and installation costs. Currently, Zomes only accepts orders from residents in California but may expand in the future.
