The Domes
In 2009 I had the good fortune to spend a weekend at Villa Dome Quixote, also know simply as The Domes, in New Denver, BC. The domes are a series of, well, domes, that can be rented out as places to stay. I was staying there with a group of youth from around the Columbia Basin who met up once every two months as a committee for the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). We stayed different locations every time, and The Domes were one of my favourites. We stayed in the large main dome, also called the lodge. The rooms are on the first floor, and look like ordinary rooms except for the slight curvature of the outer walls. However, the second floor is the interesting part. I have never experienced as strange acoustics again since, or before for that matter. The second floor doesn’t have any dividing walls, and the parabolic 25 foot high (33 feet from the foyer) dome seems to have strange effects on sound. Certain locations seemed to have amplifying or dampening effects. However, my favourite part was how if you whispered into the wall on one side of the room, it sounded like the sound was coming from the wall on the other side. This was very useful for startling each other, and provided significant amusement. At one point in the weekend, several of us heard a fairly loud sound we could not identify for several minutes. We finally figured out that it was someone erasing on the other side of the dome. Unused to really hearing erasing at all, let alone so loud, had left us without a frame of reference to identify the sound, and the strange acoustics made it hard to pinpoint its location and identify it that way.
Yoga In a Dome
We also did a yoga session in one of the smaller domes. Although yoga is normally a relaxing activity, I felt like the effect was deepened by the acoustics. It was like our breathing was louder, making it easier to sync our movements to our breath and focus inwards.
Innovation
What I liked best about the domes was that they were a playful space. They changed the way I experienced and thought about sound for that weekend. The creation of the space is somewhat experimental, and the experience I had also reflects that. Additionally the domes were constructed to be environmentally friendly and strong.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1428275468364{padding-top: 15% !important;padding-bottom: 15% !important;}”]
Find out more online at www.domequixote.com
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″ animation=”none” column_padding=”padding-4-percent” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″][vc_column_text]Construction
The following is a description of the construction process and ongoing testing from Villa Dome Quixote’s Website:
The Canadian Wooden Dome systems are developed by Salah R. Eldeib PEng. of Altus Engineering Ltd. The Civil Engineering Department at the University of British Columbia is involved in the ongoing testing of the these systems for snow load, earthquake resistance and durability. These ‘green’ wooden dome structures are energy efficient, exceptionally strong and flexible (capable of carrying heavy snow-loads and withstanding earthquakes), durable (are expected to out last regular stick frame structures by as much as four times) and cost effective.
Awards
The following awards are listed on Villa Dome Quixote’s Website:
Environmental Award 2003 from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia for “Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Engineering — Design, Construction and Monitoring Category.”
Regional Finalist for the 2003 Innovation Award for Sustainable Development (British Columbia & Yukon) from the National Research Council & the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Association “in recognition of your innovative contribution to the advancement of sustainable development.”
Innovator of the Year Award 2004 from the Kootenay Association of Science and Technology.
Innovation Award 2003 from Community Futures of Central Kootenays, British Columbia.
Certificate of Congratulations from the Premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, “on being recognized as a leading individual who has demonstrated innovation, leadership and sound business practices.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2”]
