We’re back with another build
and this one’s a beauty. Nestled in the peaceful hills of Colo Vale in the NSW Southern Highlands, this 8m King Dome isn’t just another tent on a platform. It’s a fully upgraded, semi-luxurious, nature-blending, glamping-ready beast.
And yes, we built the platform too, because what good’s a dome if it doesn’t have a stable place to sit?
The Build: Akasha
- Location: Colo Vale, NSW (Southern Highlands)
- Client: Running regular yoga retreats on-site
- Purpose: Glamping accommodation
- Size: 8m diameter | ~50m² internal floor space
- Height: 4.7m peak — enough for a mezzanine
🎥 Scroll down to watch the full walkthrough video.
The Platform: What It’s Sitting On
This client opted for our dome and platform install package, which includes a galvanised steel subframe and upgraded 25mm blue tongue particleboard flooring — 3mm thicker than our standard red tongue. Why? A bit more insulation, a bit more durability, and fewer arguments with moisture.
The Sliding Glass Doors (and Why Everyone Wants Them Now)
This build includes our 3.2m wide, 2.1m tall sliding glass door system — fully double-glazed and framed in aluminium. It’s weather-resistant, great for airflow, and looks bloody fantastic.
Bonus: includes flyscreens. Because nothing kills the glamping mood faster than a mosquito rave.
The Skylight: Polycarbonate for the Win
This dome features our new polycarbonate fixed skylight, made from an 8mm thick panel. It’s a serious upgrade from the old clear PVC. It’s fixed (not openable), but it lets in a heap of natural light, making the space feel extra open and bright.
Why we love polycarbonate:
- More UV resistant
- More thermally stable
- More likely to still look good in 5 years
- More robust
The Look: Blending Into the Bush
The client chose our eucalyptus green outer shell, which blends beautifully into the Aussie bush. Paired with earthy insulation colours and natural-looking curtains, it’s got serious zen energy — perfect for retreat guests who want to unplug.
Future-Proofed for Retreat Expansion
This dome is the first stage of a larger plan. With council approvals already in place and a septic system installed, the client plans to add more domes for weekend retreats and accommodate overflow guests. Initially, the bathroom was going inside the dome, but it’s now been moved externally — smart move, more space.
Final Touches + Design Flexibility
Internally, this 8m King Dome can comfortably fit:
- A king-size bed
- Bathroom
- Kitchenette
- Lounge area
- Storage Space
- Optional woodfire heater
- Optional mezzanine (12–25m² of extra space) thanks to its 4.7m peak roof height.
This 50sqm space (not including mezzanine) can rival the most luxurious of hotels, but can also serve as a high-end Wellness Centre, with room for up to 25 people. We also have 3 people living in this size of dome full-time now (which is very exciting for us as we didn’t think we’d enter this market).
Want to build your own 8m King Dome?
Whether you want us to supply the dome, install the dome, or build the dome & platform, we got you!
Got Questions or want to chat?
Whether you’re ready to build or just tossing up ideas, we’re ready to help
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