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Geodesic Domes
Kuranda Slauenwhite
December 9th, 2005
Physics 11A
Richard Buckminster Fuller
Richard
Buckminster
Fuller was born in Milton,
Massachusetts in 1895.
Fuller was a architect
even though he never got
a degree or even a
license until he was
awarded one. Fuller’s
goal was to cut down the
usage of energy and the
cost of energy. One of his
ideas was to build
shelters that were called
Geodesic Domes.
The Geodesic domes that were designed
by Fuller are the strongest, lightest and
most
cost-effective
structure
ever
designed. The domes become stronger
and lighter as they become larger in size.
Today there are over three hundred thousand
domes throughout the world. Because of their
shape the domes have more volume then
surface area and because of this feature they
are able to trap the heat longer and withstand
strong winds.
Geodesic domes could be used in
today’s society for ways to conserve
energy and to lower the building costs.
The shape of the domes can cut the cost and
amount of energy to heat the dome. The heat
and air flows better because of the round shape
walls. There is also less surface area where
heat can be lost then square feet of living
space.
The cost of building supplies would be
less because of the smaller surface area.
Another way to save costs and energy would be
to use solar panels. The placement of the panels
would also be easier because of the curve of the
upper part of the dome.
Links
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http://bfi.org/taxonomy/term/25
http://bfi.org/node/587
http://www.thirteen.org/bucky/dome.html
http://www.cjfearnley.com/fuller-faq-4.html