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Geodomes:
A geodesic structure is a self-supporting triangulate
networking in spheric order. It is a set of hexagons articulated
around pentagons, forming hemispheric latitudes.
It has the advantage of being particularly economical
and can incorporate eco living.
History:
Buckminster Fuller is the man best known for the invention
of the geodesic dome–the lightest, strongest, and
most cost-effective structure ever devised.
Buckminster Fuller was an inventor, architect, engineer,
mathematician, poet and cosmologist who also found time
to write many books and patented at least 25 ideas.
In the 1950's he invented the geodesic dome, and also
championed the earliest proponents of renewable energy
sources–solar (including wind and wave) Today over
300,000 domes dot the globe.
Key elements
of the geodesic dome:
The key structural unit in a dome is a four-surfaced pyramid
figure called a tetrahedron.
The geometric shape on which all domes are based is a
20-sided polyhedron called an icosahedron. Like the tetrahedron,
each side is an equilateral triangle, and at each point
five triangles meet to form pentagons.
The geodesic dome has useful properties during an earthquake
as the dome has an even distribution of weight and a low
centre of gravity so it moves with the earth.
Materials include - plastic and fiber glass (arctic weather
stations withstand winds up to 180 mph) - corrugated metal
domes have given shelter to families in Africa - canvas
and steel or timber.
This is a versatile building that still waits to be fully
exploited here in the UK.
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