To build a true stacked stone home, over 80,000 stones must be split. The foundation footings must be able to withstand several tons per inch and be at least three feet wide. That said, that home will still be standing five hundred years later. It's interior may have been gutted and redone many times over, but the structure itself will last forever.
Wright noticed the labor intensive cost/benefit ratio of such massive structures and thought correctly that the same immortal dwelling could be built using more modern, but not expensive technology. The possibilities today are endless. I like the idea of concrete panels on slabs. Panels could be doubled up with foam pumped into the gap for insulation. The ductwork could be formed inside the walls. PVC pipes as conduit for wiring would be part of the roof slab with service coming from above. As long as any residential fire does not exceed the softening point of the rebar in the roof, even fire will not destroy such a home. Just gut it, clean it, and reappoint it. Interior walls are just cosmetic.
a friend of mine is building spec homes and he is paying $80 per sq ft. He thinks he can lower that and have a better house with metal. In his way to Mexico (shhhh) to visit a factory.
None of the dome-homes in Florida were damaged by the hurricanes.
Are the 77 million baby boomers going to live in $500,000 houses on their average Social Security checks of $1000/mo?