Ep 12. Hawaii Dome House

In the season 9 episode 12 of Building Off the Grid titled "Hawaii Dome House", viewers are taken on a journey to the beautiful island of Hawaii where artist Eric Nelsen plans to build his dream home. However, this dream home is not going to be an ordinary house but instead a geodesic dome, which will be a combination of both artistic brilliance and architectural ingenuity.

The episode follows Eric Nelsen, who is an artist and a musician based in Puna, Hawaii. He is known for his work in ceramics, painting, and sculpture and has showcased his artwork in various galleries across the United States. Eric has been living on this property for quite some time now in a small studio apartment and wanted to build a bigger house to accommodate his expanding family. He also wanted to create an Artistic hub, where local artists can come together and collaborate on new projects.

Eric had a lot of ideas but less than $20,000 to build the house with. That meant that he would have to use unconventional methods and building materials to cut down on his construction cost - which is where his artistic skills came in handy. He decided to design a geodesic dome that would be made out of scavenged materials and it soon become clear that he could use all of his talents as both an artist and builder to make this happen.

The Building Off the Grid crew set out to help Eric build his dream home. Eric utilized a variety of building techniques in the construction of the dome, including using recycled wooden pallets and river rocks to create an aesthetic finish on the exterior. Other recycled materials, such as green glass bottles, were used for the windows, adding a unique touch to the overall design.

The construction process, which took about six months, was not always easy as building a dome requires a unique set of skills, materials, and patience. But with the help of his family, friends, and the Building Off the Grid team, Eric was able to overcome these challenges and create an amazing geodesic dome that was both affordable and beautiful.

Throughout the episode, viewers are able to witness the various stages of the construction process - from digging the foundation to laying the final brick. They are also able to see the various challenges that Eric and the team face as they put the dome together. From encountering harsh weather conditions to unexpected obstacles, they were always able to find a way to overcome the challenge and continue with the project.

Overall, the Hawaii Dome House episode of Building Off the Grid season 9 is an enthralling journey that showcases the artistic ingenuity of Eric Nelsen and his team's efforts in building an eco-friendly and sustainable dome home. By using scavenged materials, Eric was able to create a low-cost, energy-efficient and incredibly creative dome house that will serve his family and community for years to come. This episode is a perfect example of how art and architecture can come together to create something truly unique and amazing.