My name is Massimo Massarotto, and I’m a member of the Geoship team. I’m honored to introduce the second episode of our GeoJourney video series , where we share regular updates that not only highlight key progress but also bring you closer to the people and processes shaping the future of regenerative living.

In this episode, we’re going behind the build to share key updates, introduce some of the people bringing the vision to life, and offer a glimpse of where the first Amma Dome will soon take shape including:

Production Progress: Hundreds of parts have now been produced, packed, and shipped to the site.The Install Team: Led by Neil Decker, a skilled natural builder who recently earned his contractor’s license. Neil brings his deep knowledge and passion to building the first Amma Dome, supported by our in-house “GeoRocker” installation team — including Casey, who you’ll also meet in this episode.Our First Customer and Dome Site: Meet Chris Anderson, Founder of The Bodhi Hive, and see where the first Amma Dome will soon take shape.

Check it out!

Meet our Growing Install Team

Our install team is led by Neil Decker, whose leadership and expertise have been invaluable as we move closer to the historic installation of Amma 1. Every aspect of the process is being approached with meticulous care to ensure a smooth and seamless build. Beyond his technical skill, Neil brings a deep passion for empowering others through the art of natural building.

Neil's Hempcrete Roundhouse

 Neil began his journey in natural building nearly 20 years ago, teaching workshops around the world before designing and constructing his own off-grid hempcrete roundhouse, which was featured on our friend Kirsten Dirksen’s Fair Companies YouTube channel. When Neil joined Geoship five years ago, it was love at first sight, a perfect alignment of purpose and craft.

Today, Neil leads our install team—Aldo, Jason, Casey, Jacob, Sam, Daniel, and Chris—through the planning and assembly of Amma One, our first customer-ready dome.

In the GeoJourney video Neil Says:

“Part of our strategy is having our own contractor’s license, which lets us use our team as subcontractors and maintain complete control of the installation—from stage zero through stage five. Unlike most builders, we’re doing everything in-house. We manufacture and assemble all the parts in our factory, perform quality checks, and then transport them to the site.
Our own employees handle the installation, so our engineers can be on-site inspecting components as we go. We also bring members of the production team to see how their parts come together in the field and gather feedback to keep improving—dome after dome.”

Having recently secured Geoship’s California contractor’s license, Neil has been diligently expanding his department and refining every step of the process. His team has been testing and perfecting techniques on in-house mockups: partial domes used to validate all key components, including anchors, skins, the bone structure, windows, sub-flooring, finished floors, doors, and interior panels.

The team is also advancing off-site prefabrication of MEP components (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), including plumbing cassettes and electrical harnesses, which will drastically reduce labor, cost, and material waste during installation. This integrated approach bridges craftsmanship and innovation, supporting our certification goals while reinforcing Geoship’s commitment to quality, efficiency, and sustainability.

See more about our "Slice" Mockup in our previous episode here.

This first installation is much more than simple assembly; it’s a carefully orchestrated operation that blends precision engineering with thoughtful site logistics. The team has meticulously prepared for this phase, testing and refining specialized equipment such as cranes, lifts, and a temperature-controlled mixing trailer for on-site mortar preparation.

Meet our First Customer: Chris Anderson, Founder of The Bodhi Hive, and His Vision for a Walkable City

The Location

Nevada City, CA, is a vibrant community with a long history of innovation. Nestled less than two miles from downtown, The Bodhi Hive, whose tagline is “Thrive in a Synergistic Community,” is nestled in a peaceful forest of pine, oak, and cedar trees. A scenic trail system lined with creeks connects it to local schools and downtown, creating a natural bridge between community and nature.

Over the years, Chris transformed the site into a thriving co-working and cultural hub, home to studios, workshops, wellness gatherings, and community events.

The Bodhi Hive is described on their website as:

"At Bodhi Hive, we are not just a co-working space; we are a dynamic ecosystem crafted for the modern professional. From Bodhi Studio for creative minds to Bodhi Kitchen for culinary innovators, our spaces redefine the traditional workspace. Embrace the freedom of choice with Bodhi Cospace, a membership-based co-working haven for solo entrepreneurs, For startups and larger operations seeking distinction, Bodhi Boutique provides tailored office spaces blending minimalism and functionality."

The Site History

Originally known in the 1980s as the Nevada County Tech Center, The Bodhi Hive was once a cornerstone of the “Silicon Sierra” movement. It was home to leading tech companies like Grass Valley Group, which brought high-tech innovation to the area and employed thousands. After that era faded, the property sat abandoned for over a decade until Chris Anderson saw its potential to become something more—a walkable village where homes, workspaces, and gathering places are woven together rather than spread apart.

The Vision for a Walkable City

With its deep roots in innovation and community, The Bodhi Hive is the perfect home for Amma Dome #1—the place where Geoship’s vision of regenerative living is becoming reality. Supported by the Nevada City planning team, this installation marks both a symbolic and strategic milestone. It provides the ideal environment to demonstrate how our bioceramic domes can harmonize with nature, connect people and resources, and enhance community life.

When I personally walk the trails leading into the Bodhi Hive, I see exactly what he means. You can picture a neighborhood where people live, work, create, and connect, free from traffic, noise, and pollution. It’s a new way of thinking about how we relate to a place, its natural systems, and one another.

In this video, Chris Anderson says:

I think there’s a better way to live. The way cities are designed today just doesn’t make sense. Being able to create a walkable city is something really unique.

Geoship exists to empower visionaries who imagine new ways of living, building, and belonging. We’re honored to help bring bold ideas like Chris’s to life, turning inspiration into tangible models for regenerative development and community design.

You're joining us as the very start

Every time I step inside our first small engineering prototype built back in 2020, I’m struck by its presence. It feels almost cathedral-like in its spaciousness and acoustics, evoking a sense of calm, connection, and expansion. That is exactly what we hope every Geoship home will offer its occupants. I can’t wait for you to experience that feeling for yourself once the full-scale dome is complete.

You'll be excited to learn that for the first year, Geoship will rent the Amma Dome at The Bodhi Hive to host tours for customers and investors, giving people the chance to step inside and experience what regenerative living truly feels like. After that, the dome will transition into a creative community space available for other organizations to use, continuing to serve as a hub for innovation, collaboration, and connection.

This marks a historic moment and an inspiring new beginning. The Amma Dome will serve as a living example of what becomes possible when technology, nature, and community come together in harmony. It represents a future where homes nurture both people and the planet, and where architecture becomes a force for regeneration rather than depletion.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to share each milestone with you as Amma 1 rises here in Nevada City.

With gratitude,
Massimo Massarotto
on behalf of the Geoship Team