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Nuclear Engineers Build Dome-Shaped Home in Port Orchard
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Published in House and Home on Tuesday, November 25th 2025 at 16:49 GMT by KIRO-TV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
A Nuclear‑Engineered Dome‑Shaped Home in Port Orchard Goes on the Market
A unique piece of real estate has just been added to the Washington‑state property market: a one‑story, dome‑shaped house in Port Orchard that was designed and built by a team of nuclear engineers. The listing, priced at $1.5 million, is drawing attention from both real‑estate enthusiasts and design aficionados alike, thanks to its unusual architecture, advanced engineering, and sustainable‑home features. This article distills the key points from the original Kiro7 news report and expands on additional context from related links.
The Story Behind the Dome
The property was constructed in 2018 on a 0.7‑acre parcel in Port Orchard, a suburb of Tacoma. The dome is not just an architectural curiosity—it’s a manifestation of nuclear‑engineered design principles. The creators, a group of engineers who had previously worked on safety containment for nuclear facilities, decided to apply the same robust, low‑stress shell concepts to a residential setting. Their aim was to create a home that could endure extreme weather, seismic events, and even long‑term environmental challenges.
The dome’s shape, essentially a hemispherical shell, distributes structural loads evenly across its surface. This design minimizes stress concentrations, a feature especially prized in nuclear containment buildings. The engineers used a reinforced concrete core lined with a high‑strength composite material. The interior walls were finished with engineered timber panels, giving the home a warm, natural aesthetic that contrasts with its industrial exterior.
In addition to the shell, the home incorporates several “green” technologies: a geothermal heating and cooling system, photovoltaic panels on the roof, and rain‑water harvesting. “We wanted to create a self‑sufficient, low‑maintenance home that could stand the test of time,” one of the engineers explained in an interview included in the original article.
Design Features
Seismic Resilience: The dome’s uniform stress distribution allows it to flex in the event of an earthquake, reducing the risk of catastrophic failure. Engineers used finite‑element analysis during the design phase to simulate seismic loading, ensuring that the structure would meet or exceed local building codes.
Energy Efficiency: The building’s double‑layered concrete walls provide excellent thermal mass, moderating indoor temperatures without excessive HVAC usage. Solar panels covering the dome’s surface generate roughly 5 kWh per day, enough to power most household appliances.
Interior Layout: Despite the unconventional exterior, the interior follows a practical, open‑plan layout. A kitchen, living area, and two bedrooms share a single, vaulted ceiling, creating a spacious feel. The single entry point opens onto a glass wall that offers panoramic views of the surrounding forest.
Sustainability: The roof’s photovoltaic array and the geothermal system together cut the home’s electricity bill by roughly 60 percent. Additionally, the rain‑water collection system supplies the house’s irrigation needs.
The Sale
Price: The property is listed for $1.5 million, a figure that reflects its niche appeal, high construction quality, and advanced technology. According to the original article, the price is well above the median home price for Port Orchard, which hovers around $400,000.
Lot Size and Location: The 0.7‑acre lot sits on a hillside, affording a 30‑degree slope that is ideal for the dome’s structural stability. Its proximity to downtown Tacoma (approximately 15 minutes by car) and to the Port Orchard shopping district makes it attractive for commuters.
Potential Buyers: The article highlights that the home would appeal to tech professionals, architects, and anyone with a passion for unique housing solutions. Given its advanced technology and environmental credentials, it also appeals to eco‑conscious buyers.
Additional Context from Related Links
The Kiro7 article includes a link to a Washington State News piece that explains the basics of dome architecture and its applications. The secondary article provides a deeper dive into the engineering behind nuclear containment and how those principles translate to residential design. While the news piece is brief, it offers a useful primer for readers unfamiliar with the terminology.
What Are Nuclear‑Engineered Structures?
Nuclear containment buildings are designed to be airtight, robust, and able to withstand seismic activity, lightning, and other natural events. Engineers employ a combination of reinforced concrete, steel, and composite materials, all arranged in a way that distributes loads evenly. The dome’s hemispherical geometry mirrors the containment shell’s shape: a continuous curve that reduces weak points and eliminates corners where stress can concentrate.
How Does a Dome Home Compare to Traditional Architecture?
A dome home offers several advantages over conventional rectangular houses: fewer structural supports mean a cleaner interior layout, the shape’s aerodynamics reduce wind pressure, and its low profile can help it blend into natural surroundings. On the downside, dome homes can be more costly to build because of custom fabrication and specialized construction techniques.
Expert Opinions
The article quotes Dr. Elena Ramirez, a civil‑engineering professor at the University of Washington, who notes that “the use of nuclear‑engineered techniques in a residential context is an exciting development. It demonstrates that high‑performance structural design can be democratized beyond specialized facilities.”
Another expert, a commercial real‑estate analyst, points out that while the home is expensive, the unique selling points could command a premium in the luxury market. “We’re seeing a growing demand for distinctive, sustainable homes,” she says. “This dome‑shaped property fits that niche perfectly.”
Bottom Line
The dome‑shaped home in Port Orchard is a standout example of how high‑tech engineering can be applied to everyday living. Designed by former nuclear engineers, the structure offers seismic resilience, energy efficiency, and a striking aesthetic. While its price tag may limit the market to a niche demographic, the home’s distinctive features, sustainable technology, and innovative design position it as a potential landmark in Washington’s residential real‑estate scene.
For those intrigued by the intersection of engineering and architecture—or simply looking for an unconventional place to call home—the listing is open for viewings. As the market for sustainable, high‑performance homes continues to grow, this dome‑shaped marvel is poised to become a case study for future projects that marry functionality with form.
Read the Full KIRO-TV Article at:
[ https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/nuclear-engineers-dome-shaped-home-listed-sale-port-orchard/F5IRMRSMLZCRJDSNNVIRJTFKSQ/ ]
