by Elliott McLaughlin

Villa Dome Quixote is a 500 square metre dome complex in New Denver that started out as a proof of concept for the Canadian wooden domes project (CWD) developed and implemented by Salah Eldeib. A professional engineer, Salah heads Altus Engineering Ltd. based in the same town.
Three spheroidal domes have the same 10 metre diameter and 5 metre rise, while the two-storey, paraboloid central dome has a diameter of 10 metres and a rise of 9 metres. Constructed as a prototype to develop and test a new form of structural engineering, Villa Dome Quixote now functions as a lodge and as an exhibition site for potential dome customers.
Meeting with Salah Eldeib is quite an experience. Born in Egypt and educated at Ain Shams University in Cairo and the University of British Columbia, Salah is passionate about these revolutionary wooden domes.
At the time of writing, Salah just received the Kootenay Association for Science and Technology innovator of the year award, and congratulations from Premier Campbell on “being recognized as a leading individual who has demonstrated innovation, leadership and sound business practices.”
Salah and his company have secured numerous prestigious awards for the Canadian wooden domes project including the 2003 environmental award from the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC for outstanding achievement in environmental engineering in the design, construction and monitoring category. He received the BC and Yukon 2003 regional finalist award for sustainable development given jointly by the National Research Council and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. An independent committee appointed by the National Research Council chose Altus Engineering Ltd., along with 31 other Canadian companies, as innovators of national significance.
Salah was inspired to develop these dome systems out of concern for the environment and interest in reducing waste in the timber industry. The domes are framed from scrap wood less than 14 cm long. They reduce construction waste by up to 85 percent. Salah’s philosophy is to make use of other people’s waste materials in addition to reducing his construction waste.
As the engineering is different from conventional stick frame buildings, the CWDs required testing to ensure the structural integrity. Helmut Prion, professor of civil engineering at UBC, oversaw the load testing of the prototype and under his supervision, testing and analysis of the systems continues. This fall, a 7.5 metre dome will be tested to failure in the new UBC structural lab.
These dome buildings, which are suitable for a wide range of applications, are superior to standard frame construction in strength, durability and energy efficiency. They are suitable for residential and commercial buildings, industrial and public structures, arenas and stadiums as well as emergency and temporary shelters. They provide a wide range of choices of finishing materials to designers and specifiers.
This type of wooden dome construction will carry an enormous vertical load as expected under heavy snowfall conditions. Wind is not a problem and being light and flexible, the domes are especially earthquake resistant.
New construction methodologies and the manufacturing of special tools and machinery were needed for the CWDs. For example, a device that controls the shape of the dome at any point during construction was developed, and special scaffolding services the interior and exterior during the construction and finishing stages. Other innovative tools include a three dimensional saw and a machine designed to convert flat sheet metal into the shapes required to fit on the dome roof and to produce custom shaped flashing.
Mill ends of scrap 2 by 4s were cut into small pieces ranging from 15 to 40 cm, and then assembled in small sections. These were then joined together with the help of the shape-controller to form the basic dome. Next, engineered strapping and fasteners were put in place providing the dome with strength and stability. No glue was used.
Methods were also developed to install drywall and to curve wooden plates. Techniques to install siding, roofing, electrical wiring and other construction elements were also developed as well as various systems to attach windows, doors and other openings.
Altus Engineering Ltd. is now in the process of applying for eight patents and the company is preparing to build the first manufacturing plant to produce these lightweight domes in sections to be shipped and assembled on site.
Salah believes the CWDs have the potential to positively impact the building industry in Canada and throughout the world. Since completing the dome prototype he has substantially improved the system by altering and adding many features, and has also developed a sectional dome technology.
The lifespan of a CWD is expected to be more than twice that of a conventional wooden structure, thereby causing less ecological damage as the environmental impact of these buildings is spread over a longer period. Altus Engineering and UBC will participate in a study to calculate the expected lifespan.
The structures are suitable for environmentally sensitive areas as jobsite disturbance is minimal and the CWDs are built using local materials, reducing energy use and pollution generated by transportation.
They are adaptable to layout and usage changes as the dome shell is structurally stable and does not require any interior support.
Canadian wooden domes contribute part of the answer to the chronic problems in the forest industry in Canada by creating exportable value-added products. By providing structures that are superior in terms of strength, energy efficiency, durability, aesthetics and economy, these innovative domes will contribute to Canada becoming a leader in the construction industry.
www.canadianwoodendomes.ca