1. Domes require less material to construct for the same amount of livable area/floorspace, when compared with rectilinear construction and roofing. This results in a reduction of construction costs, thereby, producing a lower carbon footprint.
2. Domes promote more efficient air circulation and keep temperatures even throughout the structure.
3. The high volume-to-surface ratio allows domes to occupy 30% less surface area than any other traditional building structure, which means less building materials are used, and more space is available inside the building.
In the 1970's, the logic, fascination and intriguing qualities of the geodesic dome inspired countless young persons to experiment with different geodesic dome/zome construction methodologies as depicted and described in "Dome Book 2". If you are truly interested in having the majority of all dome questions answered, this book is required reading.
The historical biggest problem in geodesic dome housing acceptance was, and has been, a lack of geodesic academic instruction, onsite actual manufacturing/construction knowledge and proof of concept with the governing authorities.
The second biggest problem has been the choices for geodesic roofing systems, which has led to excessive installation costs, waterproofing problems, leaks and negative reports!
Typically, dome manufacturing companies have designed and constructed their structures utilizing a maximum four-foot riser wall. Designing the dome as a roof with at least an eight-foot riser wall keeps the dome circularly intact and provides for conventional rectangular window and door openings.
Geodesic domes can be constructed with two different methodologies, Strut/Hub and Panel Style domes. For several reasons, Panel Style domes have been the geodesic dome manufacturing industry standard utilizing several different materials and connection systems.
Transitioning from manufacturing two and three frequency geodesic domes utilizing wood framing, plywood sheathing and several different roofing systems (polyurethane coated foam, Hypalon elastomeric coatings, tar paper and cedar shakes, asphalt shingles, rolled roofing, etc.), the opportunity of creating a lapping fiberglass geodesic dome idea immerged in the early 1990’s in Fairbanks, AK.
Transitioning from fiberglass and moving into polyethylene rotational molding in the early 2000’s, for the manufacturing of the composting and greywater tanks, the Plan of Action for worldwide potential, is to utilize rotational molding as the most efficient methodology in the manufacturing of low-cost recycled plastic Panel Style geodesic dome components.
In harmony with recycling and alternative philosophies, instead of the concrete, piers and/or local building foundation “anchoring” methodologies, I am proposing the use of multiple connected, recycled, food grade, 1,000-liter IBC (International Beverage Container) tanks as the complete “floating” foundation for any size dome, to include providing its own rainwater storage system. Eventually, molds could be designed and manufactured to produce a pie shaped tank floating system with the same foundation and water storage capabilities.
"Plastics". The advice to young Dustin Hoffman in the 1967 "Graduate" movie. Plastics have provided several solutions, but now have become an environmental issue. It can become an opportunity utilizing the logical use of the geodesic design and the need to begin cleaning up the mess the "plastic"revolution has created!
Recycling of discarded/trash materials that are available worldwide with existing small scale rotational molding manufacturing capabilities can locally produce shelter/housing and other recycled products for the protection of the local environment while enhancing economic and employment creation opportunities.
In providing the needed water and sanitation for complete "living" habitability, the rotational molding capability will be essential in producing the other items/components required for the manufacturing of those technologies, also locally.
Therefore, for today and the future, the most efficient, economic, environmental and easiest Plan of Action to be capable of constructing geodesic domes as Productive Dwelling Units, with all of the required components worldwide, is local small scale "Cooperative" manufacturing.
Pura Vida. Clint
