Chapters 1 / 14
  1. 1 This is a Growing Dome
  2. 2 Choosing the Right Size
  3. 3 Build Site Selection
  4. 4 Climate, Utilities & Year-Round Use
  5. 5 Ownership Expectations
  6. 6 Choosing the Right Foundation
  7. 7 Owner-Supplied Items & Accessories
  8. 8 Permitting & Approvals
  9. 9 Delivery & Site Preparation
  10. 10 Assembly & Installation
  11. 11 Budgeting & Project Planning
  12. 12 Maintenance Overview
  13. 13 Next Steps
  14. 14 Continued Learning & Resources

This is a Growing Dome

What a Growing Dome kit includes, what it is designed to do, and what sits outside the kit.

Inside a Growing Dome with the door open, raised beds and polycarbonate glazing

The Growing Dome is a passive solar greenhouse kit designed for year-round production. Each unit uses integrated systems to regulate temperature and airflow. While the kit forms a complete structure, year-round success typically requires site preparation, interior systems, and climate-specific upgrades tailored to your goals.

What's Included

Growing Dome kits include the core components required to assemble the greenhouse structure, along with the integrated systems that support its performance.

Each Kit Includes

Two Growing Domes standing in a snow-covered yard
  • Geodesic frame and glazing panels
  • Ventilation and passive design features
  • Essential hardware and connection components
  • Assembly guidance and build resources

All components are engineered to fit together as a unified system. Assembly is required and may be completed by the owner, with help from friends, hired labour, or a contractor.

For a complete list of components, features, and available upgrades, refer to the Growing Dome catalogue or the Arctic Acres website.

Their Designed Use

Growing Domes are designed as greenhouses first and foremost, with performance centered around passive environmental control. When properly set up and managed, they allow you to:

  • Extend your growing season beyond local climate limits
  • Start earlier in spring and continue later into winter
  • Maintain a more stable and protected growing environment
  • Work with a wider range of plants and growing methods

Most owners use their domes for food production, hobby gardening, or educational and community growing. Some adapt them over time for additional uses such as studios or enclosed garden spaces, but these remain secondary to their primary function.

They are engineered for consistent performance and year-round potential, particularly in climates where traditional greenhouses fall short.

The Project Scope

In addition to the dome kit, projects require additional materials, systems, and coordination to complete the greenhouse setup.

Items Not Included

  • Foundation and site preparation
  • Electrical, plumbing, or utility connections
  • Interior growing systems (beds, irrigation, etc.)
  • Bulk owner-supplied materials (soil, gravel, etc.)
  • Supplemental heating or advanced climate control
  • Labour or installation services

These elements vary by project and are often determined by your location, goals, and level of build-out.