Geodesic Structures

Anyone ever built one?

A friend of mine wants a garden building/structure making. I’m normally to be found making furniture and such, but have always wanted to build an actual structure that you can walk around in and shelter in.

Good places to start research about the maths and sizes?
Any good books out there?
Any tips on simple ‘hubs’ etc?

Cheers. 🙂

I have no relevant experience but for some reason spent ages reading this once. It has lots of the information you’re after:
http://www.domerama.com/

No, but I know where there’s one for sale – £1.1M

A bit about the master: https://bfi.org/about-fuller/big-ideas/geodesic-domes

It looks pretty easy really, so long as you get the maths right and have a decent hub system.
They should build a few houses this way!

Yes my mate built one a few years ago will see if he can mail me a picture & get some details

What is the environmental/architectural/stuctural advantage of geodesic?

Bigbutslimmerbloke – is that the one in Balado?

They’re self-supporting and strong, and make it look like you’ve got an early-warning radar set in the garden.

Not just buildings either:

Thanks Loco.

Do tents count?

Essentially, yes…Only, a more permanent version is what I’m wanting to achieve. same principles though.

For the maths, you could always ask Maryam Mirzakhani – first woman to win the Fields Medal.[/url]

i built one out of hazel sticks and blue gas pipe for the inter connecting things. like this:-http://www.lowimpact.org/step_by_step_guide_geodesic_domes.html
we shrink wrapped it in the cling film used to wrap boats up for winter

Forest Education Initiative day, Kinnoull Hill by matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr

Forest Education Initiative day, Kinnoull Hill by matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr

Forest Education Initiative day, Kinnoull Hill by matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr

Forest Education Initiative day, Kinnoull Hill by matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr

That looks great!
Thanks Jonah. Interesting read that and seems fairly straightforward.
I’ll look into that shrink wrap stuff you mention.

Thanks for posting those pics matt, looks great. Only downside would be a low door, wonder if it’s possible to ‘tweek’ one of the pentagons to give a higher base triangle for the doorway?

Yes. I have, along with 40 or so other carpenters. Three of us did all the cladding though! The Gridshell at the Weald and Downland Museum. It’s a wonderful space.

I’ve just checked that construction. Very impressive, superb craftsmanship, chapeau!

eckinaspin – yes

That Gridshell build is lovely.

The Gridshell at the Weald and Downland Museum

Holy carp! That is beautiful and amazing!

I was thinking perhaps something a little less…..involved for my effort, bit more like the little one inside.. 😉

How about a reciprocal roof?
Or a combination of both…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-27962985

Hi Oliver,

email me, I have a bunch of PDFs on building geodesics.

Colin