The Geodesic Dome structure was invented in 1928 by R. Buckminster Fuller. His dream was to construct light, portable structures that had incredible strength and durability. Although Fuller’s dream of providing shelter for millions of people didn’t come to realization, geodesic homes have become one of the most demanded structures for getaways and vacation homes.
     In 1944, the United States suffered a serious housing shortage. Government officials knew that Fuller had developed a prototype single family dwelling which could be produced rapidly, using the same equipment which had previously built war-time airplanes. They could be “installed” anywhere, the way a telephone is installed, and with little additional difficulty. When one official flew to Wichita, Kansas to see this house, which Beech Aircraft and Fuller built, the man reportedly gasped, “My God! This is the house of the future!”

Dome Efficiency

     Fuller had it right when he was looking for a money saving design. The rounded shape of dome structures allows for the maximum amount of livable area with the least amount of material. The spherical shape not only saves on building cost, but also is optimal for heating and cooling (See Spherical Savings). According to Oregon Dome Co. the average energy savings are up to 30%.
     The spherical structure of a dome is one of the most efficient interior atmospheres for human dwellings because air and energy are allowed to circulate without obstruction. This enables heating and cooling to occur naturally. Geodesic shelters have been built all around the world in different climates and temperatures and still they have proven to be the most efficient human shelter one can find.
     Domes employ compound curvature. Forces are dissipated into the superstructure in all directions simultaneously. These forces are absorbed and dissipated evenly by every member in the dome. Conventional houses using rectilinear beam-strut design cannot, by design, dissipate forces evenly. These forces are unevenly channeled to the connections of the struts and beams. This is what causes the all-too common roof-leak into the narrow walls, or the roof to fly off in the unlikely event of a tornado or hurricane. Conventional houses depend on gravity to stand upright, domes do not depend on gravity, they are strong in all directions independent of gravity. The forces exerted on a dome are absorbed by the entire structure evenly in all directions.

Modern Dome Makers

     Despite their efficiency, dome homes have developed the target audience of the upper-middle or high class. Inherently inexpensive to build, additional sophistication in structure design has made dome homes increasingly interesting, and expensive. (See Dome worth its Dollar).
Some modern dome makers, such as Tiberline Geodesics (often believed to be the premier modern builder) create their designs from wood. Tiberline provides sets of options to choose when ordering a complete dome ‘kit’. These domes include everything you need to form the complete structure of a future home or vacation house. Each kit is made entirely by hand, and can be delivered right to the site of your choosing. Timberline homes start at around $40,000, but can easily sky-rocket into six digit figures.
     The illustration above can give a general idea of how a Timberline Dome is constructed. Domes still require a foundation, and basements of course are not out of the question. The vertices of the struts are held together by amazingly solid steel connectors. Simply insert an edge fully into the connector and send a nail through, the connection is solid enough to stand the test of time.
     The simple dome design really doesn’t seem all that exciting in the design sense. But just as traditional structures have room for improvement, so do domes. Domes can be dramatically enhanced by slight modifications to their structure. Chimneys, peaked windows, and extensions of more structure are all possible. Skylights come naturally with the dome design, and having them face skyward can provide an addition warm feeling throughout the house, as well as an extra element of privacy.
     To bring the dome into the realm of modern design, Timberline has created hundreds of different dome designs. For more information on Timberline Domes, visit their website at http://www.domehome.com.
Another popular maker of homes is Natural Spaces Domes, based out of North Branch, MN. Natural Spaces prides their fabrications for building upon the dome’s natural energy saving design.
     The struts of a Natural Space Dome can range all the way from 15” to 21”, much wider than most builders’ 10”. This allows for better insulation and provides for internal wall cavity ventilation. In addition to being extraordinarily thick, all the struts in the entire construction is doubled. Meaning that there is a gap between them joined by additional spacer boards.
     Natural Space also prebuilds all their structures to a starting point before their clients begin work on them. This means less measuring, work, and tools for the builder. Not to give the impression that Natural Spaces only makes “generic” designs: each dome is custom built by hand, to the specifications of the client.

The Bottom Line

     Dome structures may have started as a quick way to shelter, but have evolved to suit the desires of modern culture. Although dome makers have quite pricey ranges, the quality and long-term savings of a dome structure make the dollars paid worth every cent.