This Week's Find: The Dome Home

• April 7th 2021

by Nena Perry-Brown

This Week's Find is a home in Annandale that onlookers likely slow down for when they drive by. 

7221 Beverly Street was custom built in the shape of a geodesic dome by Betty and Charles Emmons in 2002. Betty Emmons grew up on the acre lot where the home was constructed. 

For years prior to construction, Charles Emmons had been infatuated with the idea of living in a geodesic dome, drawing inspiration from an article he read about architect R. Buckminster Fuller and the potential of dome construction, said to create one-third more space than a traditional house while using the same amount of materials. 

The couple enlisted Timberline Geodesic Dome to create a kit for the house, and then added some customization of their own. The house and the panels that comprise the dome spaces were constructed in nine months. 

The dome effect is perhaps most pronounced in the great room, which has a 35 foot-tall ceiling, built in shelving, and a speaker custom built by Mr. Emmons. For those who assume that the house must be a pain for energy efficiency, the Emmons say that the dome shape creates great air circulation and their friends with "regular" houses have higher heating costs in the winter.

The upper level of the dome home has a loft-like bonus room that overlooks the great room, and a spiral stair on a landing leads to a cupola with 360-degree views. The house also has a three-car garage with room for a workshop and another loft sizeable enough to be built out into another suite or living unit. 

The Emmons are looking to downsize, so the home went on the market Tuesday, but they aren't ruling out building a smaller dome home in the future. Additional details are below.

• Full Listing: 7221 Beverly Street (map)
• Price: $850,000
• Bedrooms: Four
• Bathrooms: Three
• Square Feet: 3,758
• Year Built: 2002
• Listing Agents: Gabe Deukmaji, Brenda May, KW Metro Center

Photos courtesy of BTW Images.

CORRECTION: The article previously misstated the ceiling height in the great room; it is 35 feet high, not 13 feet. The bedroom and bathroom count has also been updated.

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/this-weeks-find-the-dome-home/18100.