Xanadu House: A Vision of Automated Domed Living
The Xanadu house in Kissimmee, Florida, represents a bold intersection of futuristic architecture and early home automation. Designed with an emphasis on ergonomics and technological integration, this unique residence sought to turn mid-century automation concepts into a fully functional living environment.
Construction and Architectural Design
The construction of the Xanadu house utilized an innovative process involving polyurethane plastic foam—a material created by mixing two chemicals that expand to 30 times their original volume upon contact. The process began with a concrete slab base and a 40-foot (12 m) diameter tension ring used to anchor the domed roof of the "Great Room."
To create the structure, a pre-shaped vinyl balloon was attached to the ring and inflated using large fans. The surface of the inflated balloon was then sprayed with quick-hardening foam, creating a structurally sound shell five to six inches thick within a few hours. Once the foam cured, the balloon was removed. This process was repeated for subsequent domes, which were then joined by foam-sprayed wire mesh to create connecting halls and galleries.
Final touches included cutting openings for doors, windows, and skylights, followed by a 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) interior coating of fireproof material for a smooth, clean finish. The exterior was completed with a coat of white elastomeric paint.
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Interior Layout and Ergonomics
The interior of the Xanadu house was designed for efficiency and flow, featuring an open-floor plan without traditional doors. The aesthetic focused on a cool color scheme, utilizing cream-colored walls and pale green painted concrete floors instead of carpets. While some accounts describe the interior as cave-like with low ceilings, the home featured large porthole-type windows and at least two entrances.
The Great Room and Social Spaces
At the heart of the home was the Great Room, the largest space in the house. It featured a large false tree that served both as a roof support and as part of the built-in heating system. This room also housed a fountain, a video projector, and a small television. Adjacent to this was the dining room, which featured a glass table with curved seating set against a full-wall window.
The family room served as the home's social hub, featuring walls covered in television monitors and electronic equipment. The builders referred to this entertainment center as an "electronic hearth," reimagining the traditional fireplace as a digital gathering place.
Smart Home Automation
The house consisted of fifteen rooms, with heavy integration of Commodore microcomputers in the kitchen, bedrooms, party room, and health spa. This automation system provided several futuristic amenities:
- The Kitchen: Managed by an "autochef" electronic dietitian that planned balanced meals and could cook them automatically at scheduled times. Food was sourced via tele-shopping or the home's own greenhouse.
- The Master Bedroom: Served as a control center for the rest of the house, allowing occupants to manage appliances (such as the coffee pot) remotely.
- Children's Bedrooms: Equipped with teaching microcomputers and "videotexture" windows that displayed realistic or imaginary landscapes from around the world. To maximize space, beds could retreat into the walls.
- The Home Office: Designed for remote business, providing access to electronic mail, news services, and stock and commodities trading.
Wellness and Security
The health spa offered a whirlpool, sun sauna, and an environmentally-controlled habitat, all monitored by electronic systems. The master bath further enhanced this experience with a solar-heated steam bath and adjustable weather conditions.
Security was also integrated into the automation. To deter intruders, the house featured a HAL-type voice system that would speak when someone entered, creating the illusion that the home was occupied.
Key Facts
- Location: Kissimmee, Florida.
- Construction Material: Quick-hardening polyurethane plastic foam sprayed over vinyl balloons.
- Core Technology: Controlled by Commodore microcomputers.
- Unique Features: "Autochef" dietitian, "videotexture" windows, and an "electronic hearth."
- Structure: Domed rooms connected by foam-sprayed wire mesh galleries.
- Interior Finish: Fireproof interior coating and white elastomeric exterior paint.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Main Dome Diameter | 40 feet (12 m) |
| Shell Thickness | 5 to 6 inches |
| Total Rooms | 15 |
| Computing System | Commodore microcomputers |
| Interior Flooring | Pale green painted concrete |
Energy Consumption Concerns
Given the continuous operation of multiple computers, there were initial concerns regarding excessive electricity costs. To mitigate this, it was proposed that a central computer would manage and control the energy consumption of all other electronic systems throughout the house.
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the domed structure of the Xanadu house built?
The domes were created by inflating a vinyl balloon and spraying it with a quick-hardening polyurethane plastic foam that expanded to 30 times its original volume. Once the foam cured into a 5-6 inch thick shell, the balloon was removed.
What was the "autochef" in the Xanadu kitchen?
The autochef was an electronic dietitian that planned well-balanced meals and could automatically cook them at a pre-set date and time.
What were "videotexture" windows?
Found in the children's bedrooms, these were windows that used computer-generated graphics to display realistic landscapes from real-world locations or imaginary scenes.
How did the house handle security?
The house utilized a HAL-type voice system that would trigger when an intruder entered, making it sound as though someone was home to discourage theft or trespassing.
What was the purpose of the "electronic hearth"?
The electronic hearth was an entertainment center in the family room featuring television monitors and electronic equipment, designed to serve as a modern gathering place similar to a traditional fireplace.