Chapter 1
The turning point and the Dymaxion vision
Chapter 2
Master of the geodesic dome
Chapter 3
Spaceship Earth and mapping the world
Chapter 4
The buckyball and a lasting legacy
YOUR GOAL
Master of The wild world of Buckminster Fuller
Ch 2 · Master of the geodesic dome
schopenhauer Geodesic Dome
He laced the steel in triangles to balance out the strain, the dome gets even stronger as it spans a wider plane.
schopenhauer Fuller's synergetics explored how nature's geometric systems produce unexpected, cooperative strengths.
schopenhauer The Montreal Biosphere was the US pavilion for Expo 67, cementing the geodesic dome as a global architectural marvel.
BETA
schopenhauer Assemble geodesic domes to learn how Buckminster Fuller's futuristic ideas changed the world.
Fun Fact
Growing strength: A geodesic dome is the only building design that gets stronger and lighter relative to its size as it grows.
Glossary
geodesic dome (noun)
A dome-shaped structure constructed from a network of interlocking triangles that distribute stress evenly. In 1954, Buckminster Fuller patented this spherical design, later constructing a massive version for Montreal's Expo 67.
A dome-shaped structure constructed from a network of interlocking triangles that distribute stress evenly. In 1954, Buckminster Fuller patented this spherical design, later constructing a massive version for Montreal's Expo 67.
Quiz
Which geometric coordinate system did Fuller argue nature uses instead of 90-degree grids?
Quiz
What unique structural advantage do geodesic domes have over traditional buildings?
Quiz
What happened to the Montreal Biosphere during a maintenance accident in 1976?
Quiz
Which extreme scientific research outpost used a geodesic dome from 1975 to 2010?
Quiz
For which major international event was the Montreal Biosphere originally built?