Custom Design estimates: Survey of Site/Design Collaboration/initial set up and installation:
Factory/Office: 505-613-4580 Mobile: 719-588-9233
P.O. Box 321 Crestone CO 81131 rockridgeway@gmail.com
Other Custom Projects
Black Bear Media Awning
Rock designed a custom cover to save this papercrete house from mildew
KTAO Rockin' Cathedral
KTAO, Taos New Mexico's world famous solar radio station, commissioned Rock to specially design a pavilion that would handle snow loads. He created an arched wood and metal matrix frame because of the superior strength of the triangular shape. He just got the cover on today and this friday, KTAO will host their first event in their new Rockin' Cathedral.
Crestone Eagle Article August 2007
Housing Humanity By Diane Bairstow
“Bucky Fuller said, ‘We have the ability to house the world using only 1% of the resources we are now using.’ That means,” Rock Ridgeway speeds forth with typical exuberance, “we can be 100% more efficient. That’s my goal.”
His table is covered with models of his Crystal Domes and Flower of Life Pavilions. He spreads his hands over them and continues, “Conventional housing costs over $100.00 a square foot … let me show you what I can do with $1.00 per square foot.”
What Rock is doing is “imitating nature” in his designs. “When we look at a flower or a tree, we see only its surface, but Rock is looking beneath the surface at patterns of energy that create nature’s diverse manifestations. These patterns are the energy bonds between atoms, which are the building blocks for everything we see, touch and experience.
For over 30 years, Rock has been working with crystalline shapes and straight lines, and there were no “curves” about it. Then last summer, his friend, Glory Dassi, introduced him to the Hanuman temple in Taos. They wanted a large pavilion for their various celebrations throughout the summer. It was then that his vision “flowered,” and he created his first “Flower of Life Pavilion,” which looks like a large upside down morning glory.
He began seeing the interaction between the straight line crystal structures and the curves of the Flower of Life. “It is all about tension and compression,” he explains. “It is basically the same pattern, just a different manifestation. One is curving orbits; one is straight line relationships.”
One unique thing about Rock’s structures is that they all cluster together. Unlike geodesic domes, yurts, and tipis, Rock’s domes and pavilions can “mate up,” so that any side of any structure will seal to any side of any structure. They can also fit inside each other creating a dead air space between layers for insulation. A large pavilion can be made out of a high tech fabric and cover a dome inside made out of natural fibers, The possibilities are endless
“Individual and community spaces can spontaneously fit together wherever they are wanted. Individual living pods can link up to huge community spaces or fit together in smaller clusters.” Rock’s eyes glow as he describes his vision. “Imagine looking down on a housing project that resembles a bouquet of flowers, a clusters of crystals, or cascading honeycombs. Imagine stretching a network of structures that turns a grove of trees into an Elvin Village … Imagine …”
All his designs are synergistic in nature and simple to build. A wooden platform for his smaller dome can be broken down into two 7’ wide pieces, small enough to put on a trailer and be transported anywhere. His latest tents are designed using just one pattern piece. Economy and simplicity are key design elements. Again, he is imitating nature.
You’ll be able to see one of Rock’s Flower of Life Pavilions shading the crowds at the Crestone Music Festival. Rock will also be there selling his super-multi-functional garment, the Cameleon, which, by the way, works synergistically with his housing designs. Otherwise, to see what Rock can do for $1.00 a square foot, give him a call at 719-256-4523 or email rockridgeway@gmail.com.
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