Geodesic Dome for the DIY person in you

[taizen]

Searching for information for how to build a geodesic dome, I came across the process of one ambitious farmer who was very informative on how you can build a geodesic dome yourself.

I was able to gleen much from these videos. I was thinking how the dome could be expanded into a geodesic multiplex. My original idea for the dome was to have aquaculture year round along with vegies. But I have begun to see many more possibilities.

He has uploaded many videos concerning his hobby. The geodesic dome videos are a work in progress 9 part series with number 10 on the way.

Enjoy

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=9rn6YtCC670

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=gLIhOglrbmI

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KHEHVyA7SHw

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nupQbrwiS7I

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y8_sGSmyaRY

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=FTzpEB8-4EU

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=sNIhxGjVcSM

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Z1jXhaRagT4

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Acg1Blg-IeA

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=WdR38olP0eI

[taizen]

I know that his construction is costing him a pretty penny, however, I was seeing creative ways to begin the base. I have designed a home which the general contractor who studied it said it was sound, had dubbed it the hobbit house. Basically, the base is made of a basic concrete base but for the 4 ft height of the wall around the whole place, it utilizes cob construction/materials. This is cheaper than the cement block he uses. I like to look for materials which are not being used any more and find creative ways to put them back into use. The wooden beams for the inside of my home will use recycled barn material. If one would combine some of his techniques/ideas to create a home that is close to nature as possible, just imagine the great feeling you would receive when you woke up every morning realizing you made your home!
When I saw his videos and looked into buck fuller, I began to modify my 'hobbit house' on paper to incorporate the geodesic dome while having the home partially in ground still.
When I begin construction, I will document my work and share. I really liked this guys way of putting forth his information and he did it for free!
If you combine eco friendly homes and then help your surrounding community with their eco friendly home, then get the city involved to build garden beds instead of beautification beds, just imagine the positive steps that were taken without protesting and war? (I know it doesn't create money, but what is money?)

[Bo Atkinson]

Thanks for a very interesting generic subject. I hope you will allow some generic contrasting in your post. I like this google/images set of search terms: greenhouse ring dome. Bucky Fuller's geodesics essentially came from giant ring alignments, he called them great arcs. Yet smaller rings are easier for DIY, to build from raw materials like bent bars or tubing, etc.. Rounds used instead of pointy-vertices of triangles. (Higher end geodesic architecture also uses ring structures).

Yes it is valuable to consider costs to self and cost to planet for all that we engage for this life of ours. Perhaps civilization per the PTBs has pushed most people into colder regions where a greenhouse is a huge asset. Yet, despite all the advancement in computers, the greenhouse materials have not really improved at all. Plastic is still short lived. Glass is so heavy it increases costs dramatically. One almost wants to roll up greenhouse coverings in summer, to preserve the plastic materials years longer.

Also for cold climate, in these days of dwindling fuel sources, one ought to study potentials for a self-heating house, (Image-web-search it). One can annualize-comfort by these means without purchases. (Tax men will love this, except for now it is a low-market-value. Go figure.) Humans get what they choose and not some stargate bail out. Generally, there is possibility of getting cost free HVAC, for temperate climates, where one essentially insulates a whole house site including 10-20 ft or 3 to 6 meters outward from the perimeter. This alone can yearly provide remarkable heating value.

[taizen]

That was my thought also concerning the plastic used. Over time, the material's he used will disintegrate. As far as the heating is concerned, you are right. There are ways to set up a system which will provide the necessary heating/cooling without destructive materials such as freon being used. The essential design you are describing reminds me of something I saw in Mother Earth News.
I would be most interested if other have pictures of their own constructions of structures which incorporate high efficiency, low tech insulation techniques. In Florida, one home has several sections of the base open on the north side (1ft x 6 in) to allow for air flow vented around the house. They also have a terrazzo floor and ceiling fans. It stayed relatively cool. The base of the house was in ground about 3 feet. The floor was amazingly cool around the walls except on the south side.

[Bo Atkinson]

I have spent more than 4 decades working, studying and living alternatively. Building choices should depend very much on climate and growers truly need water. Though too many current 'growth' areas and farming areas seem to becoming draught plagued. I chose a wet climate in the north. Too many pictures to sort through and explain comprehensively, but here are some of the most relevant to your subject:

just-in-time, last minute before winter, DIY greenhouse, lowest possible cost and effectiveness:
http://harmoniouspalette.com/RebarGa...eResearch.html

earth hearted, higher-thrift skills, competitive-cost-to-performance- earth heated greenhouse
http://harmoniouspalette.com/EyelidG...reenHouse.html

low cost, intermediate skills, convertible dome for summer relief of plastic cover.
http://harmoniouspalette.com/EyelidG...reenhouse.html

surplus-collector, cobbled-together, carpenter's dome home inside greenhouse
http://harmoniouspalette.com/TranslucentDome.html

most minimalist, addaptive-materials, self-heating house, cold-temperate northern, cost-free-HVAC concepts
http://harmoniouspalette.com/CostFre...cientHVAC.html


Last minute before winter, DIY greenhouse, lowest possible cost and effective:
http://harmoniouspalette.com/RebarGa...eResearch.html

[meat suit]

I built a small geodestic dome years ago to see if its viable as a structure..
firstly, it did my head in being inside it......looking at all the beams at their various angles....irritating. I was however in much bigger ones and the effect is much less here.
secondly, the structure behaves more like fabrik than something solid, you move one end and on the opposite side of the dome moves. I expect it would be an absolute nightmare to get water tight, and I would be worried about glass falling on your head .

I am a builder/carpenter and have built a few pretty groovy buildings. my advice would be : stuff geodesic and build freestyle....

[taizen]

@wavydome - those pictures are amazing! So many vegetables and so much snow! You are inspiring - This is what I was talking about indeed.