Who wants to build a geodesic dome?

[Ira]

Okay--just throwing this out there because it's almost time to leave the office, and I can dream, can't I?

I have a book by Gene Hopper (or Hooper) which shows how to build geodesic dome structures based on Buckmeister Fuller's orginal design, the guy credited with "inventing" the geodesic dome.

Basically, 90% of the work involves building these large triangles off site (all of them are identical), then "simply" connecting them on-site and securing to a slab foundation.

Yeah, there's a little more to in than just this, but if you saw the book, you would be surprised how LITTLE more there actually is. (Roofing and making your triangles correctly is important, because geodesic domes are leak-prone.)

Anyway, I may decide to look for a little piece of cheap property again somewhere in no-man's land down here, but that won't be no-man's land in 10 years. Maybe put one of these domes on it. (Actually, two small ones, they're easier to build, connected by an enclosed walkway, making one decent-sized dwelling. ) I got a good friend who can do the slabs for me.

I post this because my book is really old, out of print, and I seriously doubt there's any copyright still on it. (The publishing house went out long ago.) So I'm going to scan the entire book and make it available here, if anyone wants it. Just PM me.

Just something to think about, for those of you who may be considering building a structure for whatever purpose. I'm not saying I'll definitely be able to do it myself in the first place, but this thread is at least a start.

You guys always get me dreaming...

[goldcoop]

Ira-

Lay down 'til the feeling goes away!:lol:

Seriously, a "Mother Earth News" kinda thing right out of the early 70's?

Makes you wonder why they never caught on BIG.

We have a few around here, the only complaints I have ever heard was that they are a bear to roof shingle.

Other than that the design is tuff as nails, very stable, should go down the road on a HF 4 x 8 just fine.

Cheers,

Coop

[Guy]

Dear Ira,

I built one in Arizona YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAARRRSSSSS
ago, back when a hippie was a hippie and not a youppie.

Coop still remembers those times as his friend Ken does.


They were fun to build but it was foolish to try and use cedar shingles on them since that really defeated the ease of construction and the integrity during storms

[madjack]

...I've built 3(2-26'ers and a 34'er) of 'em on the commune I lived on back in the early '70's...really neat little buildings...we used the two small ones as green houses and the large one as a kinda gathering spot/storehouse...here is a modern company with a really nice package for sale http://www.naturalspacesdomes.com/
I would love to build a 40'er to live in...maybe up off the ground with a shop on the ground floor
madjack

[goldcoop]

...I've built 3(2-26'ers and a 34'er) of 'em on the commune I lived on back in the early '70's...really neat little buildings...we used the two small ones as green houses and the large one as a kinda gathering spot/storehouse...

Man! Woodstock revisited

MJ- what did ya grow in them there greenhouses?

Cheers,

Coop

[madjack]

...I've built 3(2-26'ers and a 34'er) of 'em on the commune I lived on back in the early '70's...really neat little buildings...we used the two small ones as green houses and the large one as a kinda gathering spot/storehouse...

Man! Woodstock revisited

MJ- what did ya grow in them there greenhouses?

Cheers,

Coop

Coop, almost all of my guns have a "woodstock" and we grew tomatoes and peppers and seedlings of all kinds...it was a real fun time...you could see the domes from the hi-way and for a few years almost all the cars would slow down or stop and stare...we had quite a reputation
madjack

[goldcoop]

...we had quite a reputation

Didn't we all!

Cheers,

Coop

[Gage]

<snip>
Anyway, I may decide to look for a little piece of cheap property again somewhere in no-man's land down here, but that won't be no-man's land in 10 years. Maybe put one of these domes on it. (Actually, two small ones, they're easier to build, connected by an enclosed walkway, making one decent-sized dwelling. ) I got a good friend who can do the slabs for me.
<snip>
You guys always get me dreaming...

And with this design, you would need even less land.



Have a good day.

[Joanne]

...I've built 3(2-26'ers and a 34'er) of 'em on the commune I lived on back in the early '70's...really neat little buildings...we used the two small ones as green houses and the large one as a kinda gathering spot/storehouse...here is a modern company with a really nice package for sale http://www.naturalspacesdomes.com/
I would love to build a 40'er to live in...maybe up off the ground with a shop on the ground floor
madjack

Hey MJ,

You were an AUTHENTIC hippy living in a commune like that. I was going to ask about the "greenhouse" too, but I'll just let that one go by.

Joanne

[Joanne]

Hey Ira,

I don't have any plans to build something like that, but I would be interested in reading about them. I'd read the book if you scan it.

Joanne

[kiltedhiker]

Ira
We have those and Straw bail houses.
Sautee Ga. is a spot where a lot of Dead heads an Artist came to retire.
I love it here!

[BrwBier]

Here is a dome sit for my friends domes. They are sold and assembled all over the country. http://www.naturalhabitatdomes.com/
Brwbier

[asianflava]

There is a place that builds monolithic domes up near Waco. I looked at their website one time to see how it was done. They get a big plastic bag and blow it up. Then they spray the inside with expanding foam. When the foam hardens, they spray the outside with gunite or something similar.

[Juneaudave]

I'm more the yurt type...check these out...reminds me of the teepee I lived in through a Montana winter, but much, much nicer


http://www.yurts.com/

[Kevin A]

We have some domes here in Eureka:

http://www.northcoastjournal.com/102005 ... t1020.html