At a time when more people are homeless than ever before, and the dream of owning a home has long become but a pipe dream for the majority of people, Aircrete domes are the shining light at the end of an Aircrete tunnel!
This simple construction method uses mostly water, foam and cement. This somewhat simplistic recipe, however, provides us with an end product that is not only beautiful, but won’t burn, is vermin proof, waterproof, cyclone resistant, fully insulated, AND you can “do it yourself”. Not only that but it is as cheap as chips to build.
This somewhat simplistic recipe, however, provides us with an end product that is not only beautiful, but won’t burn, is vermin proof, waterproof, cyclone resistant, fully insulated, AND you can “do it yourself”. Not only that but it is as cheap as chips to build.
Since learning the techniques overseas several years ago, Kathy has been sharing the skills with hundreds of inspired and up and coming “Domies” at their learning centre in SE QLD. Her teachings have culminated in one of the students achieving the first ever Council approved, 90m2 Aircrete dome home in SE QLD, which is now fully complete.
“Our fervent desire is to see this method become more mainstream and known to Engineers, Certifiers and Councils alike, and to provide a real and affordable “DIY” opportunity that empowers people to build their own affordable dream home”.
Kathy was responsible for bringing Aircrete Dome construction to Australia. She has a passion for creating conscious community and learning to live purposefully and harmoniously in the current world landscape. With a belief that, as clean food, water and air are the inherent right of every person on the planet, having a roof over one’s head is not just desirable, but equally a given right for all beings. As a mother, grandmother, chef and Karaoke Queen, she demonstrates the fact that no previous building experience is necessary to enable anyone to build with Aircrete. In an industry that has been traditionally and predominantly, male oriented, it’s refreshing to know that women are equally capable, and able, to dive into this construction method which is incredibly light-weight compared to other alternative building methods.
Back in 2007, I read a series of books that would change everything for me – “The Ringing Cedars” series. They tell the story of a woman named Anastasia living in the Siberian forest with nothing but her hands and her heart. I couldn’t put them down. Those books lit a fire in me about community living that I’d never felt before. But I didn’t know how to make that vision real until 2017.
I stumbled across something called DomeGaia online. I saw one of their domes and my heart started racing. They were teaching people to build these incredible Aircrete domes – lightweight, affordable, and strong as anything.
Without hesitation, I signed up for their very first workshop in San Miguel, Mexico. As it turned out, I was the very first person in the world to register for the course. That’s my little badge of honor and I do wear it proudly. I’m a bit of an early adopter, and when I realised what this construction method could offer to put an affordable roof over people’s heads, I just had to find out more.
Picture this: I’m standing in Mexico with 29 other people from 14 countries, thinking, “Kathy, you’re a mum, a grandma, a chef, and a karaoke queen. What are you doing here?” I’d never built anything in my life. My hands had chopped vegetables and held microphones, not mixed concrete or laid blocks.
But then something magical happened. These blocks were so light I could pick them up with one hand. I could cut them to shape, spread the mortar, and stack them like building blocks. It was just so simple. For the first time in my life, I felt powerful in construction – an industry that had always seemed impossible for someone like me.
I brought that knowledge back to Australia and found some friends who shared my vision. We bought property together and started running weekend workshops. For five years, we taught hundreds of people how to build their own domes. We filmed 75 video modules – 6.5 hours of everything you need to know – and watched one of our first students get the world’s first council approval for a 90m² Aircrete dome home.
Then came the hard part. Relationships changed. The vision got cloudy. The universe was telling us it was time to go separate ways, even though it was hard to leave something we’d built together. But you know what? Sometimes the most painful moments lead to the most beautiful breakthroughs. I walked away with the Aircrete Dome Academy – my baby, my mission, my chance to really get this life-changing method out to the world.
No more restrictions. No more compromising my vision. Just pure focus on helping families break free from crushing mortgages. Now I’m working with engineers, gaining more council approvals, and watching women and men across the globe discover they can build their own homes with their own two hands. Every time someone tells me, “If this grandma can do it, so can I,” I know we’re changing lives, one dome at a time.
This isn’t just about building structures. It’s about building hope, building community, and building a future where everyone can afford a place to call home. I’m proud to offer the Aircrete Dome Academy – because everyone deserves a home.
I look forward to taking you through every step of your online journey.
