Family Builds Cob Home Inside Arctic Solar Dome

Forget the notion of a house as just shelter. For the Hjertefølger family in Norway, “home” is a vibrant ecosystem of love, growth, and sustainable living, all nestled within a unique cob house shielded by a solar geodesic dome in the Arctic.

The very name “Hjertefølger,” meaning “heart follower,” encapsulates their philosophy. As Ingrid Hjertefølger explained in a 2018 TED Talk, it’s a promise to pursue what fills their hearts with joy and passion. For them, that path led to a vegan lifestyle and building an extraordinary home.

So, why a cob house beneath a glass dome? “We needed a house, and a conventional, potentially toxic one was never an option,” Ingrid explained. Their vision was a natural home that could breathe and connect them with nature. By 2013, their “house inside a greenhouse” became a reality, fostering harmony within the family and with the Arctic environment.

The 15-meter-high glass dome was erected first, creating a climate-controlled environment that allows the family to cultivate an astonishing indoor garden. Inside, their five-bedroom, two-bathroom cob house comfortably accommodates the family of six. Benjamin Hjertefølger emphasizes that the dome extends their growing season, allowing them to harvest grapes, apples, tomatoes, cherries, plums, kiwis, cucumbers, herbs, squash, and even melons despite the short summers and dark winters.

Surprisingly, this bespoke dwelling cost half as much as a conventional house of the same size!

The Hjertefølgers built this eco-friendly haven using cob – a time-honored mixture of sand, clay, and straw. Blending modern ingenuity with traditional methods, they created a home from readily available, non-toxic materials. “The glass and aluminum climate shell enabled us to build these cheap and local materials in an easy way,” Benjamin shared, overcoming the challenges of Arctic weather.

Built with the help of friends, family, and community members, the house holds a unique atmosphere of calmness. Moreover, cob construction offers benefits like better air quality, fire resistance, and natural temperature regulation, eliminating the need for excessive heating or air conditioning. Their home also boasts a water recycling system, transforming waste into resources.

Perhaps the greatest luxury? Viewing the mesmerizing Northern Lights from the cozy comfort of their unique, heartfelt home.

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