"The newest building block in contemporary homes is Styrofoam, 'the fourth-generation building material' after wood, iron, and concrete," according to prefab home maker International Dome House Inc. This company, based in Japan, has developed a modern house design that's accompanied by a long list of benefits. International Dome House Inc. claims that the expanded polystyrene material includes active oxygen that leads to the prevention of aging and better health of the home and its residents. The seven-inch-think expanded polystyrene walls also boast ultra-thermal insulating properties that reduce unwanted heat loss/gain and energy consumption. This Japanese Dome House also offers versatility by way of its modular design. The basic dome measures 25 ft. wide by 13 ft. high, with a 475-sq.-ft. floor space. From there, larger and longer domes are built through the addition of more modules. Add to this the structure’s durability, weather resistance, earthquake resilience and easy assembly, and you’ve got a winning design. House kits start at less than $30,000. International Dome House Inc.
