We’re back with another edition of Hypedome Stories, where we get to know some of our amazing clients and learn how they’re using their Hypedomes. Hint: not all place their dome on a patio!
Today, we’re talking to Chantal Beaudoin and Adam Wilder, who’ve installed a beautiful sky dome on their apartment roof terrace overlooking the spectacular views of London. We’re kicking things off by learning all about their fascinating passion for human relationships and environmental social governance.
Q: Adam, You’ve Dedicated Yourself to the Field Of Human Connection. Can You Tell Us More About What You Do?
Adam: I’m in the relationships business. I help people make contact with what’s important to them and communicate with others in a way that’s whole, real and enriching. I support people to have much better relationships with themselves and others. And I do this through Togetherness, which is a movement for meaningful human connection.
Q: Sounds Fascinating – How Does It Work?
Adam: Sometimes people notice that they’re feeling unsatisfied. Or they reach out after a breakup – realising they’ve been in a long relationship, which they didn’t enjoy at all. Other times, people just feel like they’re not aligned with their purpose. And they’ll join for a course or drop-in workshop. Or a weekend retreat where we can really get in touch with what they want.
I work a lot with boundaries and the desire to connect more deeply with others. It’s really important we’re able to say ‘no’ and set a limit. It’s equally important that we’re in touch with what we want and have the capacity to communicate it.
Togetherness is built on practices derived from all the work done over the last hundred years in psychology and connection. I work particularly with ‘Circling’ and another practice called the ‘Wheel of Consent’. One thing I really like about Circling is that it’s not about trying to get anywhere or change anything, giving us the freedom to explore where we are in the moment.
Q: What Led You to Help People Make More Meaningful Connections?
Adam: I had experienced feeling lonely, unhappy and disconnected. And I also remembered times when I felt like I was really part of something. I wanted to create a place for people like me to learn how to become the centre of connection in their own lives. So I was creating for others what I wanted for myself.
It’s been an ongoing journey over the last 20 years. I used to run a speed dating company called Shush Dating, and it was all about connecting with each other through games rather than talking. Doing various business models and activities brought me closer to what I really wanted to do, which is what I’m doing now.
Q: Chantal, Are You Also Involved in Improving Human Relationships Professionally?
Chantal: I’m Head of ESG, Environmental, Social and Governance, for a real estate investment company. I look at net zero buildings and human connection more in the sense of what people in offices or businesses do to help communities or in terms of health and well-being for staff. I work on the environmental side, whereas Adam focuses on the social side of human connection.
The two definitely complement each other. We met 15 years ago when I was running an event on sustainability. I hired Adam to do a piece on the networking part of the event where people usually connect by asking traditional questions like, “What do you do?” Adam brought it deeper to help people connect from a human perspective and let go of their masks to be more authentic.
Q: You Have a Hypedome on Your London Roof Terrace. What’s the Story Behind It? What Made You Think of Getting a Sky Dome?
Chantal: I’m expecting a baby soon, and we wanted an extra bedroom for our growing family.
Adam: We wanted a flexible space so I can stay at home and be close to work and to the baby. It’s great for office space or if one of our mothers or friends wants to come and stay. We looked at different options, including prefabs.
Chantal: We also wanted something that could be taken down and put back up if we move to the countryside or something unexpected happens.
Adam: During our research, we decided we wanted something circular. I used to design, having built yurts before. So I’m really into exceptional spaces. We saw the dome and thought it would be a unique space that we could offer as a bedroom or to work in – that would enhance our quality of life and our enjoyment of the space.
There are different igloo brands around, but Hypedome stood out for quality and sturdiness. We realised it’d be a long-lasting investment. The dome feels like the next level up from the kind of simplicity and quality of a nomadic place. And we really enjoy that about our space.
Q: How Do You Use the Dome for Work?
Adam: We have a large Hypedome Grey (M). Inside is a sofa that pulls out as a bed, and we’ve placed lots of cushions and sheepskins all around the dome. Sometimes I run small drop-in groups in there. It’s a perfect space for it because it’s intimate.
For example, at times, I’ll use the dome for Circling, which is about slowing down our connection and sensations and putting them under a microscope to reveal a whole new world of reality. Occasionally I’ll work one-on-one with clients in the dome.
Q: And What’s Your Favourite Use of Your Sky Dome?
Adam: When our friends visit, they want to see the dome, so we often spend the evening up there. And Chantal and I go up there at the end of the day to sit down and catch up with each other. So it’s really mixed in terms of purpose.
Our private roof terrace was empty before; we didn’t use the space much. Now we have the dome up there, and we use it quite a lot. The view is stunning. We can see the east when the sun’s rising, and then it sets across the west. We’ve used Hype.Wall Panels for insulation but left some panels clear, so we keep the view.
The dome is sturdy, which is important because of high winds up on the ninth floor. You can really feel that the shape of the dome helps the wind flow over its surface.
Watch the video below to see Chantal and Adam’s Hypedome experience – from assembly to use:
Q: Any Parting Thoughts You Want to Share?
Adam: Well, for me it was so satisfying when our dome was built – just standing back together and seeing how stunning it was. It turned out to be even more beautiful than we’d imagined. I’ve also slept in there to enjoy the sun coming up; it was nice when it started warming the dome.
Chantal: I like coming home and getting a text such as ‘Meet in the dome’. And then, spending the evening up there with the sunset and catching up on our day. Just living those sweet moments together. We love our dome – it’s brilliant.
Watch This Space for More Hypedome Stories
We really enjoyed getting to know Chantal and Adam and learning about their work and lifestyle in London. We are thrilled to see our product used in such an amazing location and by such fantastic people. We’ll post another exciting instalment of Hypedome Stories soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, why not catch up on Milli’s Hypedome Story and discover how she’s using her dome on a barge.