A large, heavy-duty balloon gets covered with flexible steel rods and concrete before the balloon is inflated while the concrete is still wet. Once it hardens, the balloon is removed. Basically, it starts off as a flat shape and then gets inflated to its desired size. The balloon can then be reused to fill another domed building. It’s a super quick way of building structures that can take just a few days and, because of its shape, it’s also much more energy efficient than the traditionally built house.

Yes, the resulting structure seems a little bit archaic, it’s strange, and it’ll probably be difficult to convince people to live in caveman-like domes of concrete. But, Nicoló Bini, son of the Binishell mastermind, thinks these bungalows are viable architectural options for constructing spaces in developing countries, and he’s been on a mission to prove it. He is interested in applying the Binishell technique as a way to provide shelter, low-cost housing, and other facilities (schools, military bases, sports stadiums) for displaced people, refugees, and evacuees. The original Binishell, which is over 50 years old, still stands in all its glory despite having been exposed to some extreme conditions like volcanic eruptions and recurring earthquakes on Mount Etna.

These are not just functional. They are also beautiful.