FAQs

This page should answer most of your basic questions

about dome structures.

Who invented the geodesic dome?

Buckminster Fuller, a philosopher, mathematician, engineer, historian and poet, invented the geodesic dome. One of Fuller's lifetime quests was to build designs to do more with fewer resources. He observed problems inherent in conventional construction techniques, as opposed to the ease of construction and indigenous strength of natural structures. He started to experiment with spherical geometry in the late 1940's. He patented the geodesic dome in 1951. Today geodesic domes are recognized to be one of most efficient building systems known to man.

What different types of dome are there?

There are three main ways in wich domes are built today, depending on your requirements. It does'nt matter wich method you use they all have the same benefits of strenth and effiency compared to conventional box structures.

1. geodesic domes, these are built up of a series of triangles or hexagons (like the project eden dome) they are often thought to having glass panels but can also be solid with windows. This is the most common method of building domes

2. monolithic domes, wich are useually made from concrete and are a pure smooth spherical shape, these structures are emensly strong if you want something bomb proof then this is the one to go for.

3. segmented domes, which are made from segments running virticly so they look like half an orange or beach ball (the geo-dome kit is made this way)

What advantages do dome structures offer over
Conventional structures?

First they are much stronger than a conventional building but yet use less material to construct, making them more cost effective, domes can be built very quickly and economically because they are of a modular prefab construction and suit being mass produced. They also use less energy to keep warm/cool than a conventional box structure. Internally a dome has a much more open feeling than a box shape building because of the lack of corners, this also gives a dome better air circulation and acoustics. Oh and they look great.

why are domes so strong?

The nature of the spherical design provides strength because all the points of the structure share the stress evenly. The dome shape allows environmental stresses such as movement from an earthquake or wind or stress from snow loading to be evenly distributed throughout the structure. The geometry of the triangle offers additional strength to the dome shape.. Geodesic domes have been used successfully for Antarctica radar towers with up to 200mph winds for over 25 years.

Why do dome structures save on building materials?

The primary factor affecting efficient use of materials and energy in a structure is its shape. A sphere represents the smallest amount of material surface area needed to enclose a given volume of space. A divided sphere becomes one of the most efficient shapes known to enclose a given floor area. Domes are also so light that they don’t need foundations. Stressed skin domes have no joists or any timber supporting the roof and walls giving yet more savings in material costs.

Why do dome structures conserve energy for heating and cooling?

The answer again lies in the shape of the geodesic structure. The lower the total outside surface area (walls and ceilings) the greater the efficiency in energy use for heating and cooling.  A dome has approximately one-third less surface area to the outside than a box-style structure. The amount surface area exposed to the elements has a much greater impact on energy efficiency than insulation values. Additionally, heat loss from the foundation of a home is generally more dependent on perimeter length than floor area. A dome, having a smaller perimeter/square footage ratio than a box-style home, will lose less heat from the foundation. The number one factor affecting the efficient use of materials and energy in any structure is its shape. Many of today's contemporary homes, with vaulted ceilings are the least efficient homes technically possible. By contrast, a typical 1500+ sq. ft. geodesic dome home, with a 23' ceiling height in the living room actually uses almost 20% less material than a typical 1500+ sq. ft. tract home with a 8 ft. ceiling height.

·Can I get Planning permission?

The simple answer is yes, geodesic structures by there nature are much easier to disguise than a conventional building, Grow some ivy over a dome and it looks like a large bush were a squire building would look like a squire building with some ivy on it. The environmental benefits of domes would also play a part, as would the flexibility of dome design enabling semi underground placement, The key to planning permission for domes is there ability to blend in with the natural surroundings which gives them a distinct advantage over conventional buildings.

·What is a stressed skin geodesic dome?

There are two main construction methods for geodesic domes, which are "stressed skin" and "beam + hub ", Beam + Hub domes have a system which involves inserting 6"x"2 or similar beams into specially made hubs then a skin is fixed over this skeletal framework, usually plywood which then has to be weather proofed on the outside have boarding on the inside and insulation in the middle. Stressed skin domes have no framework at all just two skins one outside and one inside with an injection insulation in between, The outside skin is aluminum sheet which riveted to an aluminum frame much the same as an aircraft has aluminum panels riveted to its airframe. The inside is usually plywood panels riveted to another aluminum frame, which is joined in turn to the outside frame. This makes an extremely strong, lightweight and durable structure.

·Were can I get one?

Have a look at my links page and you will find plenty of dome makers in America but alas very few in this country. I hope to be able to offer a prefab kit for self assembly in the not to distant future,until then I am more than happy to offer advice and information for the more adventurous self build enthusiast.

·How much do they cost?

As rule of thumb a dome shaped building should cost at least 30% less than its rectangle equivalent this is simply because it has less material and is quicker to assemble