About 30 years after German engineer Walther Bauersfeld invented the geodesic dome in 1926, pioneering inventor and American architect Richard Buckminster Fuller popularised it across the world, especially in the United States. With its distinct hemispherical geometry, reminiscent of ancient structures such as tombs and huts from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent—domes became a symbol of utopia in Western architecture, particularly finding resonance in fictional literature and cinema. The engineering of the spherical form utilised fewer building materials than that of a conventional cuboidal structure, while allowing construction with a variety of materials. The volume created a steady flow of air while regulating thermal comfort. Among the many architects who have since created buildings inspired by this form is self-taught designer Anastasiya Dudik, who built a ‘future primitive’ home in the High Desert region of California.

Diverging from conventional desert architecture, Dudik envisions a vacation rental where visitors feel ‘transported, grounded and connected’. Situated minutes away from an unincorporated community, Pioneertown—built in 1946 as a live-in motion picture set—Hata Dome does not exist in isolation from its context, despite being a lone structure. Overlooking the 1880s-themed settlement, the private residence acts as an alternative, futuristic dreamscape against the nostalgic illusion of Pioneertown.

Ukraine-born Dudik immersed herself in comprehending the space of architecture and design for a decade, before realising Hata Dome without any formal education or practice. “I learned by doing,” she told STIR. “My training has come through a mix of hands-on building, mentorship, research, travel and intuition. I treat each project as a sculpture—deeply contextual, site-specific and emotionally driven.”

Dudik took inspiration from the surreal natural landscape of Pioneertown to create a form that reciprocates its boulder-strewn terrain. “The vision for the dome was to create a sanctuary—something that felt both futuristic and ancient, like a structure unearthed rather than built,” Dudik says. Spanning over 1,700 sq ft, the monolithic dome sits as a massive sculpture, accommodating two bedrooms and bathrooms and a large hall with a sunken living area, a kitchen and a dining area. A pool, a hot tub, a fireplace and a couple of lounging areas populate the outdoors, acting as vantage points that connect one to the natural landscape.

The contemporary architecture prioritises a cohesive design language under the large volume of the dome, complementing the circular layout of the house with round apertures. The openings are positioned as circular punctures that align with the flow of the built fabric, responding to the spatial functions within the volume. An expansive pool-facing opening is carved out of the dome to offer unobstructed views, contributing to a residential architecture reminiscent of an otherworldly hideaway.

Primarily made of airform foam, rebar and shotcrete, Hata Dome towers at 16ft and features tactile stucco surfaces that invite exploration. “Working with shotcrete and foam construction required a specialised team. Weather, access, permitting hurdles and sourcing materials that aligned with the vision all tested me, but the end result was worth every obstacle,” Dudik reveals. The home’s lighting design, marked by recessed lights that render a diffused glow, plays a vital role in spotlighting its monolithic form and spatial design. The kitchen naturally draws the attention of the visitors with its lustrous stainless steel backdrop and island, complemented by African mahogany cabinets.

Dudik sees the context of an extreme landscape as an opportunity, relying on the isolation of the site to shape a dwelling that transcends temporal boundaries. In designing and building the sculptural artefact, she treats Hata Dome as a site for material and form exploration. With an intuitive design approach, fueled by years of learning and dedication, Dudik challenges the paradigms of architectural authorship.