American Ingenuity domes can be built utilizing the same foundation choices as conventional housing.

The foundation types that A.I. designs are:

1. A monolithic concrete slab
2. Poured footing with a stem wall and then a poured slab on fill
3. Poured footing with a stem wall and then a raised wood floor
4. Basement
   
5. Plings and a platform or columns and a platform

The type of foundation you build depends on which is more advantageous for your area and what your building department requires.

• A.I. can replace a concrete slab foundation with a raised wood floor and design the first floor joist. The cost depends on the complexity from $70-$100 for the residence dome. The garage dome would need a concrete slab.
• The Foundation Building Plan sheet asks that you check with your building department as to how deep the footers should be for your climate.
• All foundations are designed and laid out so a rebar comes up three feet into each of the riser wall seams. The riser seams are filled with concrete as the dome kit is assembled. Once the riser wall seams (horizontal and vertical) are filled with concrete the dome is secure to the slab. The riser wall aligns flush with the edge of the slab. When you fill in the riser panel's bottom seam area you fill the area along the side of the riser and the edge of the foundation. If your dome is built on a basement or pilings or columns, a rebar is designed to come up into each riser wall seam from the basement walls, pilings or columns.
• You can prepare the foundation and later erect the dome.
• The main thing unusual about our dome's foundation is its shape. ie A.I.'s dome is lighter than most other buildings, it has less loading on the foundation.
• Basement Plans are also available.
• Because A.I. cannot evaluate your soil suitability from here, you would need to consult with someone locally about the suitability of your topsoil. Possibly a building department, soils engineer. The dome's foundation does not require anything more than 2000 lbs. per sq.ft. soil bearing capacity. Basically if you can build a regular house on your soil, you can certainly build a dome.
• The multiple sided foundation of the A.I. dome is only slightly more difficult than a conventional house and should not affect the cost more than 10% at most 20%. If the home owner would mark the corners of the foundation itself, this removes that responsibility and fear from the contractor. You will find then find the foundation subcontractor will give you a better price. The tolerance on the foundation is very forgiving. You can be off 1-2" in any dimension without any significant consequences.
• A.I. cannot provide Building Plans for wood foundations, connections to existing buildings or unusual designs that are beyond our knowledge.
• How is the concrete slab insulated? As far as insulating the slab, it is the customer's choice. It is listed on the building plans as an option. If the earth is cold then using 2" thick EPS would be beneficial. Insulate the exterior of the slab by placing 3/4" EPS insulation on the inside of the forms using finishing nails. Insulation thicker than ¾” should be placed against the outside of the slab/foundation after the forms are removed. Use finishing nails to secure the EPS insulation to the form boards. This will allow the EPS to remain in place against the slab without being damaged when you remove the form boards.

• Due to a wave of water not rising water, then the dome will need to be built on concrete columns and a concrete or wood platform. If you want enclosed rooms or a garage under the platform, then you can install break-a-way walls.
• Due to rising water, then build the dome on an above ground basement or build concrete block columns under the corners of the platform.

If your dome has to be raised two to three feet, the best thing may be to bring in fill and construct the concrete slab onto the fill.

If your dome has to be raised two to three feet, build a stem wall:

• Bring in fill dirt to fill within the stem wall and pour a concrete slab onto the fill and build a stem wall. (most economical and energy efficient)
• install a wood floor that sets on piers and beams. You would have a crawl space. (This is more expensive.)

Have you checked with your local building department to see what they require your house be built on? If you live near the ocean or water, the building department may require concrete pilings which are usually driven 10' to 15' down into the ground versus concrete columns that only go down about 3' into the ground. When there is a potential for waves of water washing dirt out from under your house, the local building department usually requires pilings. If your property is within a few hundred feet of the ocean or gulf then it is the federal government that decides what foundation type your house will have. If you have neighbors that are currently building, ask them what foundations they are utilizing.