EVOLUTION OF GEODESIC DOME

Research Methodology Assignment

Submitted by,

Krishna Bharathi c

II nd yr M.Arch (Gen)

MEASI ACADEMY OF ARCHITECTURE

 EVOLUTION OF GEODESIC DOME

Buckminster Fuller

He was an American architect, systems theorist, author,

designer and inventor. He also developed numerous
inventions and popularized in geodesic dome. He did his
architecture in Harvard University. His design focused
around being more efficient and lower cost.
Ephemeralization which translates to Doing more with
less.

Buckminster Fuller

1895-1983
Geodesic Dome:

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ak0.pinimg.com/originals/91/65/c6/9165c68199c0d7e1cd235a71bca3e859.jpg

A geodesic sphere is an arrangement of polygons that approximates a true

sphere. Geodesic domes are efficient structures in several ways. The triangle is a very
stable shape; for example, a force applied to the corner of a rectangle can deform
it into a parallelogram, but the same force will not deform a triangle. This makes
geodesic dome buildings highly resistant to such forces as snow coverings,
earthquakes, wind, and even tornadoes.
Timeline Geodesic Dome:
In 1919, build a large planetarium, German engineer Walter Bauersfeld
decided to mount movable projectors within a stationary dome. Concept of interior
projection would work in a much larger dome. The first model constructed was more
than half of a sphere; 52 ft. (16 m) in diameter.

Thirty years later, R. Buckminster Fuller, an American architect, engineer, poet,

and philosopher, independently invented a similar structural system. Following World
War II, Fuller wanted to design affordable, efficient housing that could be built
quickly from mass-produced components. He called the product a geodesic dome
because great circles are known as geodesics.

In 1953, Fuller used his new system to cover the 93-ft (28-m) diameter
courtyard surrounded by Ford Motor Company's headquarters building. The building
was not designed to support the great weight of a traditional dome, but Fuller's
creation weighed 95% less.

In 1954, Fuller received a patent on geodesic domes.

During the 1960s and 1970s, geometric domes became popular
as an inexpensive way for environmentally conscious people to
build their own homes.

One of the most recognizable of these is the 165-ft (48-m)

diameter sphere at Walt Disney World's Epcot Centre. Built of
composite panels of ethylene plastic and aluminium in 1982,
the structure houses a ride called Spaceship Earth.
Walt Disney Worlds Epcot
Raw materials: Centre, Florida

Geodesic domes range in size from the 460-ft (143-m) Poliedro de Caracas
sports arena in Venezuela to temporary shelters that are 15 ft. (5 m) or less in
diameter. The construction materials vary widely. Simple, movable structures may be
built of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe or galvanized steel conduit frames covered
with plastic sheeting or parachute canopies. Large, permanent structures like arenas
and factories have been built from materials like aluminium and steel frame struts
covered with aluminium, copper, structural gypsum, acrylic, or Plexiglas panels.

Design

Dome homes are built from manufactured kits, designs are flexible. As many
as half of the triangles in the dome's lowest row can be removed without weakening
the structure, so door and window openings can be plentiful. Vertical-walled
extensions can be built out from such openings to increase the floor space. The
dome can sit directly on ground-level or it can be erected atop a riser wall up to 8 ft
(2.5 m) tall.

Space must be provided between the interior and exterior walls to

accommodate insulation. Some manufacturers create this space by making the
struts from wood that is 4-8 in (10-20 cm) thick. Others make this space 14.5-21 in (37-
53 cm) thick by using compound struts consisting of two strips of lumber joined with
plywood gussets.
 Case study: Montreal Biosphere, Canada

Montreal Biosphere, Canada

The Biosphere is a museum in Montreal dedicated to the environment.

It features exhibitions and activities which are entertaining and educational

to better understand major environmental issues related to water, air, climate
change, the sustainable development and responsible consumption.

The Biosphere changed its name in 2007 to become

an Environment museum.

Interior view of Montreal Biosphere Exterior view of Montreal Biosphere

Future

Future refinements in geodesic dome construction may come from improved

building materials. In a true geodesic dome, the edges of the triangular elements
align to form great circles.

Geodesic domes maximize strength while minimizing construction materials,

elliptical-profile domes offer two different advantages. They can cover a circular
area without rising as high as a spherical dome. Located in northern Mexico, the
world's largest industrial domes are a pair of manufacturing buildings covered with
elliptical roofs 735 ft (224 m) long and 260 ft (80 m) wide.