On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, we laid to rest our friend and colleague, James Laurence Byrne, in the Sutton Cemetery near Rexburg, Idaho. Larry was a family man, church and community leader, farmer, former Air Force Captain, and a pioneer in the Monolithic Dome industry. For three decades, Larry served as chief designer at Monolithic, where he designed everything from houses to giant storages, developed standardized design elements still used across the dome industry, and consulted with engineers and architects as they worked to become familiar with dome design.

After 23 years, “It has exceeded all our expectations,” said Mark Henrikson, co-owner of Yumadome. Henrikson’s family enjoys the home’s beautiful interior, comfortable living spaces, and low energy and maintenance costs. Recently, they hosted two Yuma Community Theater fundraisers in the 11,500-square-foot home.

Yumadome is a giant, three-story Monolithic Dome home built to house four generations of family in Yuma, Arizona. After 23 years, Mark Henrikson, who built the home with family members (and a subcontractor or two), reports that the dome has exceeded all their expectations.

When Mark Henrikson’s family decided to build a multigenerational home in the desert of Yuma, Arizona, Henrikson and his wife presented the idea of a Monolithic Dome for their new beginning. The whole family got involved in designing the 11,500-square-foot house, which features eight individual living suites.

We love curved architecture and this example from Sweden is amazing. Constructed as an extension of the National Swedish Museum of Technology in Stockholm, the 26 × 38 meter freeform ceiling curves up and over a 100 seat, 22 meter diameter geodesic dome theater. The entire project is constructed from carefully designed Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) panels. It’s an inspiring project and it would be a joy to visit.