The shape and structure of geodesic dome homes make them capable of

withstanding strong winds. They have been built using every kind of material
from Aircrete, a unique fast-drying combination of cement and foam, to
adobe. Most rely on timber or steel and have coverings of architectural
polyester, aluminum, fiberglass, or plexiglass.

Spheres are uniquely efficient because they enclose a great deal of interior
space relative to the surface area; this can save money and materials in the
building process. Because geodesic domes are spherical, the buildings have
several other advantages:

 With no walls or other obstructions, air and energy can circulate freely,
making heating and cooling more efficient. The shape also lessens
radiant heat loss.
 With less surface area, there is less exposure to heat or cold.
 High winds move around the curved exterior, reducing the possibility
of wind damage.
Geodesic domes are exceedingly strong when considering both vertical and wind load

• 25% greater vertical load capacity

• 34% greater shear load capacity

• Domes are characterized by their “frequency”, the number of struts between pentagonal sections
• Increasing the frequency of the dome closer approximates a sphere

• Requires less material to construct than traditional structures

• Spherical shape and low surface area increase energy efficiency significantly

• Natural convection forces heat to circulate, maintaining a constant temperature

• Up to 30% energy savings for heating and cooling

• Maximum solar light and energy absorption

• Most earthquake resistant structure available

• Without the use of vertical supports reducing volume

Diadvantages of geodetic Dome:

1. Expensive
Geodetic domes require complex construction and higher demand of labor cost because of its
unique architectural characteristics and appearance. The features of geodetic dome makes it
expensive to construct.
 2. Difficult to Install
The unique shape of the dome can make it more difficult to install traditional building systems
such as plumbing and electrical wiring.
3. Limited Interior Space
Due to its curved shape, there are fewer walls and corners that can be utilized for
storage or furniture placement. Additionally, installing fixtures such as lights or
plumbing can be difficult due to the lack of flat surfaces.
4. Maintenance
Geodesic domes may require more maintenance than traditional buildings, particularly when it
comes to cleaning and repairing the triangular elements.
5. Climate
Geodesic domes may not be suitable for certain climates, particularly those with heavy snowfall
or high winds.

La Géode

Located in the heart of the Parc de la Villette

Adrien Fainsilber

Missouri Botanical Garden, Climatron,

Architect McKinley Underwood

Mirra Alfassa, Roger Anger

Auroville, Bommayapalayam, Tamil Nadu , India

Wallace Floyd Design Group

Buckminster Fuller, Bruno Freschi, Boak Alexander

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Geodesic dome

This type of structure is also known as skeleton-like frame. The framed geodesic Dome involves
flexible and critical construction because of its underlying unique characteristics, sizes and material
used. The common material used for this type of construction is made from steel and aluminum. Wood
can also be used for this kind of construction but ot highly depends on the environmental factors and
conditions. Wood frame geodesic dome give a natural appearance and aesthetically pleasing to the
nature. On the other hand, if the structures require greater strength and durability, steel and aluminum
are the great option to be used.

Icosahedron

Octahedron

Tetrahedron

The design phase of building a framed geodesic dome is critical as it involves

calculating the shape and size of the dome, as well as deciding on materials.
Construction involves assembling the frame, attaching a membrane cover or panels (to
create the dome walls) and finishing the geodesic dome interior and exterior.

It is known as self-supporting domes. The structure relies on the rigidity of their panels rather than an
external frame. This design gives leaner and uniform appearance. Compared to framed structures, this
type of geodesic dome is used for smaller construction and it is easier to install. It can be custom built-in
dome and does not have budget constraints.

more often results in a cleaner, more uniform appearance.

The icosahedron dome is based off the basic pentagon shape and is the most rounded version of the
geodesic dome. The icosahedron dome resembles a bubble. It is the most common version of the
geodesic domes used in buildings or other projects. Because of its numerous sides the icosahedron
structure is used for the largest domes.

The octahedron dome is based off the basic pyramid shape. The octahedron dome is the second most
common dome shape and is rounded in appearance. It forms an almost circular shape. This dome shape
is often seen with children's jungle gyms in parks.

The tetrahedron dome is based off a triangle shape, and it is the least circular dome. It is the least
faceted version of the geodesic dome and has sharper angles than other geodesic dome shapes. Since it
has fewer facets, it is also the weakest dome shape, and it can support the least amount of weight.