Building homes for an evolving world: round, energy-efficient, and engineered to thrive in a changing climate.
We believe homes should be more than beautiful—they should be built to endure. With climate change bringing stronger storms, hotter summers, heavier snowfall, and heightened wildfire risks, the homes of tomorrow must be climate change-ready. For more than two decades, we’ve been designing and building sustainable, energy-efficient round homes across North America and Europe. Each is crafted to offer resilience, beauty, and peace of mind, even in the most unpredictable environments.
Key Takeaways
- Mandala’s round homes are climate change-ready—engineered to resist extreme weather, seismic activity, and wildfires.
- Energy efficiency is at the core, with airtight envelopes, superior insulation, and passive solar design.
- Performance is proven, with ENERGY STAR and BEES 6-Star ratings achieved on past projects.
- Living inside a Mandala Home feels different: no drafts, no toxins—just comfort, stillness, and sanctuary-like air quality.
- Resilience meets sustainability, ensuring your home protects both your family and the planet.
What Defines Climate Change-Ready Homes?
A climate change-ready home is more than efficient—it is a stronghold against today’s most pressing environmental challenges. Every detail of our design and construction anticipates the realities of tomorrow: heat, cold, moisture, wildfire, wind, and seismic activity.
Built for Extreme Temperatures
Since building our first ENERGY STAR home in Minnesota in 2003, we’ve advanced to our Eco Premium building system. This airtight envelope keeps energy where it belongs, dramatically reducing heating and cooling demand.
- Air exchange rates as low as 0.52 ACH—some even tighter.
- Passive solar design captures winter sun and blocks summer heat.
- Energy savings without sacrificing comfort.
The result is stable indoor temperatures, year-round efficiency, and lower utility costs.
Rain and Moisture Protection
Heavy rain and flooding are rising risks. Mandala homes defend against water intrusion with three levels of moisture protection:
- Extended 30-inch roof overhangs that shield siding, windows, and foundations.
- A rain screen system that lets insulation breathe and prevents trapped moisture.
- A continuous moisture barrier for reliable protection.
This triple-layer defense ensures your home remains dry and secure, no matter the forecast.
Aerodynamic Round Homes: Built for Wind
Rectangular homes catch wind like sails. Round homes, by contrast, are aerodynamic—wind flows around them rather than colliding with flat surfaces. Combined with a conical roof system, this design:
- Reduces the risk of roof uplift and failure.
- Keeps interiors quieter and draft-free.
- Provides exceptional stability in storm-prone regions.
Snow Load Engineering
Snow isn’t just weight—it’s a structural test. Every Mandala home comes with a lifetime engineer’s warranty for local snow load requirements. Our roofs:
- Safely support heavy snow as part of the thermal barrier.
- Use wide overhangs to prevent buildup near the foundation.
This design keeps homes strong, efficient, and low-maintenance even in the harshest winters.
Earthquake Resilience
Round homes are naturally more stable in seismic zones. Their geometry distributes stress evenly, while our engineered connectors reinforce structural joints. Prefab precision ensures homes meet or exceed regional seismic codes—ideal for areas like California, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest.
Fire-Resistant Construction
While no home is truly fireproof, Mandala homes are among the most wildfire-resilient available. We go beyond basic code with:
- Class A fire-rated shells.
- Ember-resistant soffit venting.
- Optional roof-mounted sprinkler systems—creating a moisture shield against advancing fire, based on Harvard research.
These features provide peace of mind in wildfire-prone regions.
Proven Efficiency in Action
British Columbia’s First ENERGY STAR Home
This milestone project demonstrated the health benefits of climate change-ready homes. Instead of toxic “new house smell,” the interior offered fresh scents of cedar and beeswax. With airtight construction, drafts disappeared, and silence enveloped the space—a sanctuary-like quality unique to Mandala homes.
Alaska’s BEES 6-Star Home
The Michael and Maddie O’Laire family’s Mandala home achieved an astonishing 0.04 ACH—the tightest home their energy rater had ever tested. Earning a 97.5 BEES score, it qualified for a $10,000 rebate, proving Mandala’s system delivers measurable, real-world results.
Living Inside a Mandala Home
What does it feel like to live in a climate change-ready home? It’s the absence of noise, drafts, and toxins. You enjoy the comfort of knowing your home is a barrier against outside extremes. Not to mention the serenity of space designed in harmony with both the planet and your well-being.
Your Questions, Answered
What does “climate change-ready” mean in home design?
It means a home is built to withstand heatwaves, snowstorms, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes while remaining efficient, durable, and safe.
Why are round homes better for resilience?
Their aerodynamic shape deflects wind, distributes seismic stress, and naturally supports snow loads, all while improving energy flow indoors.
Can I build in wildfire-prone areas?
Yes. Our homes meet or exceed strict wildfire codes and can be equipped with rooftop sprinkler systems for added protection.
Do Mandala Homes meet Passive House standards?
Not all are certified Passive House, but our Eco Premium system integrates many of the same principles: airtight envelopes, passive solar design, and superior insulation.
Building a Sustainable Future
At Mandala Custom Homes, every project combines sustainability, resilience, and architectural beauty. From snowy mountains to windy coasts, wildfire zones to earthquake regions, we build climate change-ready homes that endure—and inspire.
Let us help you create not just a house, but a home that protects, nurtures, and lasts for generations.
Ready to build your climate change-ready home? Contact Mandala Custom Homes today to get started.