If you drive through Lakeville near the Maine border, you will spot something that looks like it belongs in a science fiction movie. A massive concrete dome rises from the dirt in a farmer’s field. It stands 12 metres tall and spans 140 metres wide. While it gives off strong space station vibes, its actual purpose is entirely agricultural.

According to a recent report from CBC News, this towering structure is a potato house. Owner Kevin Taylor says the dome holds up to 4.5 million kilograms of potatoes every year. Massive fans and a complex air circulation system keep the cavernous interior well ventilated.

How You Build a Concrete Dome

Taylor’s father commissioned the dome in 1981. The construction process involved inflating a giant balloon to form the shape. Workers then sprayed insulation inside the balloon. Next, they installed wire mesh and pumped concrete from the inside. Builders call this sprayed concrete gunite.

“It’s all concrete,” Taylor told CBC News. “It was all blew up as a balloon first. Then they sprayed insulation inside, then put a bunch of stickers up, and then wire mesh, and then they started pumping concrete.”

A Rare Architectural Feat

You will not find another structure like this in New Brunswick. The Monolithic Dome Institute built this dome along with three similar structures in Chin, Alberta. Melinda South works for the Texas based institute her father founded. She confirmed these four domes are likely the only potato storage domes her father’s company ever built in Canada. Today, the company focuses on building safe rooms, schools, and churches around the world.

The Lakeville dome remains structurally sound after 45 years of use. Taylor notes it only needs a fresh coat of insulation to last several more decades. During the off season, the family uses the massive space to store tractors and cars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the potato dome located?

The dome sits in Lakeville, a rural community in Carleton County, New Brunswick. It is located about six kilometres from the Maine border.

How many potatoes can the dome hold?

The structure can store up to 4.5 million kilograms of potatoes annually.

Who built the New Brunswick potato dome?

The Monolithic Dome Institute built the structure in 1981. The Texas based company specializes in building concrete domes for various uses worldwide.

How do you build a monolithic dome?

Builders inflate a large balloon to create the shape. They spray the interior with insulation, build a rebar and wire mesh frame, and then spray concrete over the frame from the inside.