Capstone program

Zome (Zonohedron) shelter:

Light-weight, modular, easy to assemble: 2 people, 2 hours, no special skills or tools. (the goal)

Structure

Shell

Inside

Current Basic Joinery

Stud connections

At this time the Zome have been made from 2”x6” spf material resawn in half, giving two pieces of 2 7/8” on the largest edge.

This first cut (the bevel) is to turn the 2”x6” into two pieces and create the bevel needed for the inter-panel geometry.

Once bevel is cut and therefore stud is at final section dimension, we then cut the miter, one side is a simple miter, the other needs to comply to the matching bevel, therefore a compound miter cut.

On the straight miter cuts, the biscuit slit is then cut, we use a #20 biscuit: 57.5mm wide, 24.6mm tall and 4mm thick.

After the biscuit is in, the Titebond III glue is applied on both stud faces and on the biscuit, we then predrill and drill a #10 deck screw 3.5” long. It is driven through the joint, likely even through the biscuit.
This screw is a lost clamp and hopefully adds some strength to the joint. TBD

Can this joint be improved as a stand alone ? (without considering panels yet)

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Inspiration : Patent 11885114B2

The founder of Zomes.com in California and Egypt, Shereef Bishay is also the inventor of the US Patent US11885114B2

In this Patent they show a way to line up and register panels together, and great ideas:

“The invention is a system and method for building a polar zonohedron structure from precast cement panels.
The building system may include a plurality of panels configured to register with each other. Each panel includes a precast cement base with side walls enclosing a cavity within the precast cement base.
The panels include at least one ridge protruding from at least one surface of a side wall of the panel and at least one aperture on at least one surface of a side wall of the panel.
Each ridge is preferable configured to interlock with each aperture; in his way, the panels interlock with each other to form the polar zonohedron structure.”

And this

“An aspect of the specification provides a building system of a polar zonohedron geometry. The building system is constructed using a panel with an interlocking system. The panel is designed to include a precasting of cement base, a wood nailer, a foam insulation and a removable interior finish face of a white oak plywood. The panel is further designed to include an interlocking system for ease of connecting of two panels together during construction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction that can be assembled using a minimal number of identical panels, i.e., reduce the number of different parts required. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means to easily join the panels of the structure together, so that minimal effort is required for assembly.
An advantage of the present invention is that it is very simple to construct with natural composite ceramic and is 100% nontoxic and chemical free with low embodied co2. Another advantage of the present invention is that the structure of the panels eliminates the waste of the material. A further advantage of the present invention is that the interlocking means allow the structure to be assembled efficiently with snug fit. A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide efficient water proofing to the building system.”

Inspiration : Trillium Domes

Another trail blazer in the Zome World is Johnny at Trillium Domes in Oregon

Trillium is known for their plans, and democratization of their no-bevel fabrication… which create a very small bearing surface, and the need for spacers, making the disassembly much less practical.

Very inspired by his plans and methods which I feel can be easily improved on, like this painfully brutalist doorway frame.

Like my first prototype, I would love to refine the door so as to keep the inner geometry an uninterrupted circular indoor space which is a major benefit to try to keep for looks, energy and heat flow. As well as structurally.

The alternative for a door, is either an improved prototype door, that conforms to the Zome shape.
Or create an added roof and frame for a standard rectangular door, on the outside of the Zome footprint.

Inspiration : Yurts.com (Pacific Yurts)

Nimble Nest’s unique proposition

  • Modular assembly AND dis-assembly

    Goal: No fasteners, no tools, no crane, no specific skills needed.

  • A different locking mechanism (than Zomes’ Patent), which also prevent up-lift from wind loads AND enables tool-free installation

  • Capstone Locking Piece: Envisioning a cap that creates both the seal of the Zome’s tip but also locks down the top 10 panels and therefore the rest.

  • Diamond-shaped panels allow proper weather-seal while allowing dis-assembly WITHOUT tearing off tape, caulking or flashing.

3. Different Niches and Markets

Goal: Create product lines for relevant Niches:

  • Corporate & Offices (Sound booth / office models)

  • Backyard Food Production (Greenhouse models)

  • Eco-Retreats & Health (Sauna / Wellness models)

  • Affordable Living (Cabin & Extra Room models)

2. Circular Economy Vision

Goal: 100% Locally sourced, no relying on foreign supply chains.

  • Studs : Local Sawmills offcuts

  • Insulation : Aiming to bring Mycelium Insulation locally ( See Ecovative Here), Cellulose Aerogel or Polymer/starch-based Aerogel

  • Outside Siding : Local Red Cedar shingles, Rammed Earth Oil sealed Tiles (?), Bioceramic panels or Metal sheets

  • Inside Cladding : Local Red Cedar, Rammed Earth Tiles

4. Craftsmanship and full support

Goal: Offering not only plans and kits but also customization and ecological and/or economical options to fit humble budgets.