geod:geodesic_domes

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geod:geodesic_domes [2025/12/05 18:35] – [Types of dome] Simon Grantgeod:geodesic_domes [2026/03/26 18:33] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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-# Geodesic domes+This topic is part of [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]]. 
 +====== Geodesic domes ======
  
  
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-## What are geodesic domes?+===== What are geodesic domes? =====
  
 The word geodesic relates to lines drawn between points on a sphere or a curved surface. So to picture a geodesic dome, think of a sphere (or half a sphere) with some dots on it, with the dots connected with straight lines making triangles (usually), and the sphere removed. Here’s an image of a classic geodesic dome frame. The word geodesic relates to lines drawn between points on a sphere or a curved surface. So to picture a geodesic dome, think of a sphere (or half a sphere) with some dots on it, with the dots connected with straight lines making triangles (usually), and the sphere removed. Here’s an image of a classic geodesic dome frame.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-frame.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-frame.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Classic geodesic dome frame (showing triangles).+ _Classic geodesic dome frame (showing triangles)._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## What are the benefits of geodesic domes?+===== What are the benefits of geodesic domes? =====
  
 **Strength:** triangulation gives huge strength. **Strength:** triangulation gives huge strength.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-eden.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-eden.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Giant geodesic biomes housing tropical rainforest at the [Eden Project](https://www.edenproject.com/) in Cornwall. Notice the tiny people in the foreground.+ _Giant geodesic biomes housing tropical rainforest at the [Eden Project](https://www.edenproject.com/) in Cornwall. Notice the tiny people in the foreground._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-climbing.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-climbing.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Frame for a geodesic tent, that can also be used as a children’s climbing frame.+ _Frame for a geodesic tent, that can also be used as a children’s climbing frame._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## What can I do? +===== What can I do? ===== 
-### Types of dome+==== Types of dome ====
  
 You can have a go at making a model first. And if you’re fascinated by the maths behind it, you’re going to have [a lot of fun](https://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_Dome_Notes?page=1#Origin%20of%20the%20Geodesic%20Dome). You can have a go at making a model first. And if you’re fascinated by the maths behind it, you’re going to have [a lot of fun](https://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_Dome_Notes?page=1#Origin%20of%20the%20Geodesic%20Dome).
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-greenhouse-1.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-greenhouse-1.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- Geodesic dome [greenhouse](/grho/greenhouses).+ _Geodesic dome [greenhouse](/grho/greenhouses)._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
 </WRAP> </WRAP>
  
-### Building a dome+==== Building a dome ====
  
 An introduction like this is too short for detailed instructions for building a geodesic dome house, but there’s lots of information out there, including detailed tutorials and plans, many of them free. See our links page, search online and look for [instructional videos on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL--oBARR8PwZtH7drz5Sjw). There are many different styles and shapes, and innovations are emerging all the time – for example the [beveled](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) [frame](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) [method](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) removes the need for a joint, with a hole, where the tips of triangles meet. This is perhaps the simplest way to build, although you’ll need a table saw with a tilt function, to cut the bevel angles. An introduction like this is too short for detailed instructions for building a geodesic dome house, but there’s lots of information out there, including detailed tutorials and plans, many of them free. See our links page, search online and look for [instructional videos on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL--oBARR8PwZtH7drz5Sjw). There are many different styles and shapes, and innovations are emerging all the time – for example the [beveled](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) [frame](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) [method](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRbTyFK2m7s) removes the need for a joint, with a hole, where the tips of triangles meet. This is perhaps the simplest way to build, although you’ll need a table saw with a tilt function, to cut the bevel angles.
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-joint.jpg) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-joint.jpg)
 <caption> <caption>
- One method of connecting poles for a home-made geodesic tent frame.+ _One method of connecting poles for a home-made geodesic tent frame._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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 ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-office.png) ![](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/geodesic-office.png)
 <caption> <caption>
- Paul Robinson inside his 2-storey, 7-metre diameter geodesic dome garden office; it cost £5000 in total (£1k for the aluminium panels, cut to shape). It has no structural struts or beams – the 1.6 gauge (1.6mm thick) triangular panels are riveted together, and support themselves. Paul can easily walk on the roof, which would be impossible for any other unsupported structure of this size. Paul said: ‘I thought it would work, but I didn’t imagine it would be this strong’.+ _Paul Robinson inside his 2-storey, 7-metre diameter geodesic dome garden office; it cost £5000 in total (£1k for the aluminium panels, cut to shape). It has no structural struts or beams – the 1.6 gauge (1.6mm thick) triangular panels are riveted together, and support themselves. Paul can easily walk on the roof, which would be impossible for any other unsupported structure of this size. Paul said: ‘I thought it would work, but I didn’t imagine it would be this strong’._
 </caption> </caption>
 </figure> </figure>
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-## Further resources+===== Forum =====
  
 +This topic belongs to the section [[gt:buildings|Buildings & construction]]. You can ask questions or add information on the corresponding [Forum section](https://forum.growingthecommons.org/t/buildings).
  
 +===== Further resources =====
  
-## Specialist(s)+- [Buckminster Fuller Institute](https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/geodesic-domes/) info on geodesic domes on a site dedicated to their inventor 
 +- [Desert Domes](https://desertdomes.com/) 
 +- [Geodesic Domes Diary](https://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_Dome_Diary) 
 +- [Geodesic dome notes & calculator](https://simplydifferently.org/Geodesic_Dome_Notes) 
 +- [Geodesic domes FAQ](https://www.cjfearnley.com/fuller-faq-4.html) 
 +- [the maths of geodesic domes](https://www.lowimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/geodesic.pdf) 
 +- [Geo-dome](https://geo-dome.co.uk/) - articles, plans, discussions 
 +- [5 great reasons to build a geodesic dome home](https://inhabitat.com/5-great-reasons-to-build-a-geodesic-dome-home/) 
 +- [Collection of geodesic dome essays](https://www.shelterpub.com/domes?rq=geodesic) 
 +- [Treehugger](https://www.treehugger.com/family-cob-house-under-geodesic-dome-hjertefolgers-4858200) - cob house in a geodesic greenhouse in the Arctic Circle 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +===== Related topics ===== 
 + 
 +- [Roundhouses](roun:roundhouses) 
 +- [Tipis](tipi:tipis) 
 +- [Yurts/gers](yurt:yurts) 
 + 
 +===== Specialist curators of this topic =====
  
  
  
  • geod/geodesic_domes.1764959752.txt.gz
  • Last modified: 2025/12/05 18:35
  • by Simon Grant