Geodesic domes: everything you need to know

The construction of domes is at the peak of popularity, and new initiatives are enriching a truly fascinating world. Some are working with cutting-edge technology, others are trying to make it possible to build a geodesic dome in the backyard in a very simple way, in just a few hours. Be that as it may, this sustainable architecture is revolutionizing the market, so this article will tell you everything you need to know about geodesic domes.

The history of geodesic domes

Although still unnamed, the geodesic dome was first introduced by Walter Bauersfeld, an engineer at the Carl Zeiss optics company, after World War I. The first domes were used for the first time. The first domes were used as planetariums. Some 20 years later, when Buckminster Fuller and an artist named Kenneth Snelson were working on an architectural project at Black Mountain College, 

Fuller coined the term "geodesic" to describe the evolving structure. In 1954, Fuller and his students built a geodesic dome in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, which still exists, and patented the geodesic dome. That same year he participated in the 1954 Art Triennale in Italy, where he built a 42-foot-long cardboard geodesic structure in Milan. He received first prize for this achievement. Soon after, Fuller's domes were used for a variety of military and industrial purposes, from factories to weather stations. Geodesic domes are wind and weather resistant, easy to transport and quick to erect. 

Main features

Igloo House studio domes are designed and built to withstand high winds. They are made from a variety of materials, from aerated concrete, a unique combination of concrete and quick-drying foam, to brick. Most are supported by wood or steel and covered with architectural polyester, aluminum, fiberglass or Plexiglas. Spheres are very efficient because they enclose a large amount of internal space relative to the surface area, which saves money and materials in construction. 

Another advantage of the spherical shape of a geodesic dome is that the building has no walls or other barriers, which allows air and energy to circulate freely, increasing heating and cooling efficiency. The shape also reduces heat loss by radiation : the smaller the surface area, the less it is exposed to heat or cold. Strong winds blow around the curved outer surface, reducing the risk of wind damage.