Hacienda 360 sits in the mountains of Aibonito, Puerto Rico — cooler, greener, and quieter than the coast. Walking paths wind through native trees, fruit-bearing plants, and gardens. Seasonal fruit grows on the property. Evenings belong to the coquí. Mornings often open onto mist in the valleys and long views across the Cordillera.

This is a 10-day hands-on Diamond Dome build: creativity, sustainability, and a small community of people who came to learn with their hands. Whether you are here to take the method home, meet other builders, or spend January in the mountains, you are invited in.

Aibonito is about 70 minutes from San Juan. The town is known as the Garden of Puerto Rico for its elevation and climate. The build, meals, and most of the week happen on the land — camp kitchen with a mountain view, an outdoor kitchen by the guest house, and a covered gathering space protected from weather.

Workshop Learning Objectives

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Learn our methods of building a dome home that is fire and rot resistant, insulative, sustainable, strong and durable against the forces of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.

Work in a friendly and respectful team setting to co-create under the guidance of our instructors

Build archway forms

Mix Aircrete with Domegaia's unique tools - Aircrete is an amazing, material that you can make yourself at home - almost as easily as making pancake batter!

Stack bricks with our mortar recipe to construct a dome using a compass arm

Build a window

Apply reinforcement fabric-mesh with stucco

Classroom exercises and discussions

Topics: Foundation pouring, compass arm assembly, skylight ideas, window installation, door and door jam construction & installation

We will offer an inspirational and informative slideshow presentation and dedicated Q&A time!

*Please Note: During this 10-day (hands-on) workshop, we will build a basic dome structure. Instruction includes the fundamentals of pouring, stacking and structural reinforcement of the dome but does not include plumbing, electrical or finishing installations.

We will do our best as a team to complete the Aircrete dome during the workshop; however, we do not guarantee completion. Unexpected obstacles such as adverse weather conditions, for example, may affect our progress and prevent the dome’s full completion.

Bonus Material

Architectural Drawings of Steve Areen's Thailand Dome Home (a 16-page digital download) as well as additional pdf resources and material.

A 20% discount on Tools and Equipment valid for 3 months after the conclusion of the workshop.

A 50% discount on future workshops.

Art of Building Aircrete Domes manual

Workshop Schedule

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January 21st - 12:00 PM: Check-in (for those staying on-site)

January 22 - Feb 1st (with one full day or half day off*)

9:00 AM: Opening Circle

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Workshop

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch break

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM*: Workshop

February 2nd - Departure (12:00 PM check-out)

*We will plan one afternoon off or full day off (depending on our rate of progress) for students to rest and enjoy local attractions!

*Some days may run later than 6pm depending on work flow

Accomodation Options

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Stay on the mountain at Hacienda 360

On-site lodging is at the guest house and at Camp Vista Alta on the property. Rooms and the furnished tent are meant to be shared by couples, friends, or family who want to split the cost — exact per-person prices are still being finalized with the hosts and will be listed here before you book.

Guest House — Queen bedrooms

The guest house has two queen bedrooms. Bright rooms with tiled floors, jalousie windows for the mountain breeze, and an outdoor patio with wicker seating looking into the trees. Shared bathroom at the main house.

Price: TBD for the workshop stay
Extra nights: TBD
Sleeps 2 per room (companions share the bed)

Guest House — Bunk room

One bunk room in the guest house. Shared bathroom at the main house.

Price: TBD
Capacity and bedding: TBD from the accommodations doc

Furnished tent (Camp Vista Alta)

A furnished canvas tent on a platform, with a dedicated bathroom building nearby (blue roof, outdoor sink). Mountain backdrop, short walk to the camp kitchen.

Price: TBD
Sleeps: TBD from the accommodations doc

Camping

Confirm with Nancy whether BYO tent camping is offered and at what price. Do not list it as available until that is in the accommodations doc.

To book lodging (once products exist): add the lodging product at checkout, or email hacienda360aibonito@gmail.com / WhatsApp Nancy at 631-891-8109 if the hosts are collecting payment themselves.

On the land

Wi-Fi: yes
Cell service: good
Places to charge electronics: yes
Covered hangout space out of the weather: yes (camp kitchen pavilion and guest-house patio)
Laundry: drop-off — the hosts will wash for you on a posted schedule
Pets: on leash

Meal Plan Options

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Home-style meals in the mountains

Whether you stay on site or come in for the workshop days, you are invited to eat with us.

Throughout your stay we will serve home-style meals prepared with fresh ingredients, care, and Puerto Rican hospitality — food meant to fuel a full day on the dome and to give the group a table to gather around.

Full Meal Plan — $TBD

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the workshop dates. Final meal count and whether arrival-night dinner / departure-morning breakfast are included: TBD with host.

Half Meal Plan — $TBD

À la carte breakfast, lunch, or dinner for a set number of meals. TBD.

Meet Zoe Loeser

Zoe Loeser is a passionate home cook who believes the best meals are made with love. She has helped prepare, cook, and serve meals for Hike & Dine experiences, yoga retreats, and Aircrete dome workshops, and she has worked on a farm in Ciales, where she prepared wholesome meals for guests using fresh, local ingredients whenever possible. Zoe enjoys cooking from the heart and letting the land inspire her menu. Her warm spirit, friendly personality, and genuine care for others make every meal she serves a memorable part of the experience.

Dietary restrictions: we can work with most requests. Tell us allergies and diet when you book the meal plan.

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Transportation Options

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Flights to Puerto Rico

Fly into Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) in San Juan. The airport is about 70 minutes from Aibonito. Participants book their own flights.

Public transit to Aibonito is hard to find. Uber or taxi may be available but are not reliable for this route. A rental car is an option if you want to explore on your day off.

Shuttle from SJU — $20 per guest each way ($40 round trip)

Hacienda 360 will run two pickups on arrival day and two returns on departure day. Please time your flight to those windows, and be prepared to wait at the airport if you land between them.

Pickup (arrival day — January 21, confirm):

12:00 pm

9:00 pm

Arrival Terminal 3, pick-up location #8

JetBlue: pick up at the JetBlue terminal

Drop-off (departure day — February 2, confirm):

9:00 am

3:00 pm

If you have a long layover, The Flight Park pub is about a 15-minute walk from the airport. The shuttle can pick you up or drop you there on the same schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

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About Our Hosts (Nancy & Tom)

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Welcome to Hacienda 360. We’re Nancy and Tom Young, and we’re so happy you’re here.

Our story began in two very different places. Nancy was raised in Puerto Rico. At 19, she joined the U.S. Army, where she developed a lifelong commitment to service, resilience, and hard work.

Tom was raised on Long Island and earned both a law degree and an MBA before a 27-year career with American Express. Together we built a life and raised two children, Melanie and Christian.

In 2020 we decided to return to Puerto Rico to create something that reflected our love of nature, community, and hospitality. That dream became Hacienda 360.

We love sharing this piece of the mountains with guests from around the world. From the songs of the coquí at night and the fresh mountain air to the walking trails, fruit trees, and sunsets, every part of Hacienda 360 has been created with care.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Nancy & Tom Young
Hosts at Hacienda 360

Questions for the hosts: WhatsApp or email Nancy — 631-891-8109, hacienda360aibonito@gmail.com

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About the Instructor (Ignacio)

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Raised in California with Chilean heritage, Ignacio — or “Iggy” — is a Domegaia lead workshop instructor and a master builder. With nearly 20 years of experience in everything from remodels and furniture making to Japanese timber houses and Earthships, he knows dome construction inside and out, and how it sits next to other ways of building.

He has worked with Domegaia for more than a decade as an instructor, designer, and build consultant. He is passionate about how changing the way we build and live at home can change more than the house.

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Hear What Past Students Have to Say

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Cancellation Policy

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Those cancelling more than 4 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop will receive a full tuition refund, minus a 7% processing and administration fee.
Those cancelling 2 - 4 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop will receive a half tuition refund, minus a 7% processing and administration fee.
No refunds for cancellation requests made less than 2 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop
If the workshop has to be cancelled for any reason, you will receive an immediate full refund.

Contact us

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If you have questions about the workshop, please contact us!
workshops@domegaia.com

We look forward to building with you!

10 Day Aircrete Dome Building Workshop

10 Day Dome Building Workshop

Table of Content

Location Details: Pahoa, Hawaii

Workshop Learning Objectives

Bonus Material

Workshop Schedule

Accomodation Options

Meal Plan Options

Transportation Options

About Our Hosts (Nancy & Tom)

About the Instructor (Ignacio)

Hear What Past Students Have to Say

Cancellation Policy

Contact us

10 Day Aircrete
Dome Building
Workshop