Geodesic domes have grown a lot in popularity in recent years and the practical uses for them have grown too. Domes are designed based on common geometric patterns found all throughout nature; the geodesic polyhedron and the hexagon. Think of all the times you see that shape in nature. Beehives, spider webs and even pineapples all rely on the even surface tension of the hexagonal shape. This shape is what makes spider webs impervious to heavy, sustained hurricane winds and beehives strong enough to support all that extra weight from the honey they produce. It was this principle that led Buckminster Fuller to design the first geodesic dome based on the natural laws of physics. Another beneficial feature of the geodesic dome is that they can be easily customized for insulation depending on their external environment. You can use different materials to trap heat or reflect sunlight to keep it cool in hotter climates. This feature makes them sustainable options for those who wish to minimize their dependence on institutional power sources.
Because of their architecturally sound design, sustainable elements and 360 degree geometric space; domes are ideal for a myriad of applications. In this article we will explore some of the many possible uses for domes and talk about the advantages that domes may have over other types of structures.
Homes and Living Spaces
One possible use of domes is as a home. There are many reasons why domes make great homes. They are naturally efficient in terms of energy use, they are durable and can withstand severe weather conditions, they are visually appealing and they offer a sense of spaciousness that other types of structures cannot match. Imagine ascending a spiral staircase that traces the walls of your abode leading to lofts on separate landings. One landing is your office and another a bedroom or a bathroom.
Dome homes have been growing in popularity all over the world as people become more and more interested in sustainable living. Additionally, for those who wish to build off grid, domes are ideal as they require less energy to achieve the desired internal temperature. Imagine walking into a home that maintains its own temperature. No more fighting over the thermostat with your flat mates. Let nature take care of that for you!
Interior of a Dome Home – Source: Inhabitat
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the most common uses of domes. Their shape makes them ideal for greenhouses, and the fact that they are made of lightweight materials means that they are easy to transport and install, making them the ideal structure to build out on a ranch or farm. Domes are very easily climate controlled giving the farmer the ability to grow more types of crops in their ideal climates. A great example of the agricultural use of domes is the Eden project in The UK. The main building’s blueprint was inspired by the growth pattern of plants and the dome’s foundations were built based on the imperfect way that bubbles group together to maximize efficiency on uneven surfaces.
Currently domes are being used in desert climates to grow things like lettuce, cucumbers and fruit that would otherwise be impossible to enjoy in those places. Domes are an especially good option for agricultural pursuits in places with unstable or arid climates. You can control temperatures better and avoid losing your crops to volatile weather events as well as conserve water in places where access to fresh water is scarce.
Energy Dome Rendering – Source: Business Wire
Education
Domes are also being used more and more for educational purposes. Their unique shape and interesting history make them a great option for teaching about architecture, engineering and geography. Domes can also be used to teach about sustainable living practices and how to use natural resources in an efficient way. Immersive domes are already utilized for many types of education. Pilots practice taking off and landing by sitting in a small dome intentionally designed to mimic the inside of a cockpit. Lighting designers and special effects engineers use similar domes to simulate famous stadiums so they can program their light shows and effects to fit the venue without actually being there. One of the most familiar uses of domes for education is as a planetarium. Planetariums have been around for decades and offer a visually accurate display of the stars and planets in a way that helps people to understand difficult concepts like orbital patterns. For many elementary school students a trip to the planetarium is a field trip you may never forget.
Immersive Dome Experience by Lumen and Forge
Marketing
Domes are also being used as a marketing tool. When you combine domes and projection mapping you have the perfect medium for use in advertising campaigns. You can showcase new technology in a way that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Is your company’s headquarters based in another city or country? You can bring the audience there by means of a virtual experience made possible by projecting inside a dome. Want to beat out the competition at the next big convention? Flex your company’s image by turning your campaign into an immersive experience.
Jeep 4D Theater by Lumen and Forge
Commercial Buildings
Domes are also becoming increasingly popular for commercial buildings. Their efficient design makes them ideal for use in eco-friendly buildings, and their natural insulation helps to keep occupants cool in summer and warm in winter. Since they are built in a geometric pattern they can be scaled up or down to meet the needs of the dwellers. Domes can also be made to look quite striking, which can give a business an edge over its competitors. These days, your office building is as much a part of your business image as your brand.
Capital One Venture Dome by Lumen and Forge
Emergency Shelters
A possible use of domes that stands out is as a humanitarian aid. Domes make great emergency shelters. Their round shape is both strong and efficient, making them ideal for use in disaster relief situations. Domes can also be fixed to provide an airtight environment to allow medical professionals to operate in a sterile setting in case they need to act quickly in the event of emergency operations. They are also easy to assemble, which means that they can be set up quickly in order to provide shelter for those who need it and easily packed and moved when their use is needed elsewhere. That means that domes can be shipped all over the world with ease to help those in need of humanitarian support.
Emergency Shelter Domes in Haiti – Source: Acted
Entertainment
Another possible use of domes is in the entertainment industry. Their striking appearance and unusual design make them a popular choice for use in films, TV shows and music videos. They can be used to create an interesting backdrop or to provide an interesting space for performers to work in. A prime example of domes used for entertainment is Spaceship Earth at Disney World in Orlando, FL. The modern marvel is a perfect sphere and houses a thrill ride that takes you on a journey through human history highlighting moments when we made incredible advancements in communication. The structure stands as an icon of architectural genius and is seen by millions of visitors every year.
Domes are also being utilized by musicians and performers. Some bands are creating virtual concert experiences to be projected in domes that can play in many cities simultaneously and even tour the world. Domes are also being widely used for immersive exhibits which offer attendees a unique experience by creating a virtual environment through projection mapping. By utilizing the right projectors inside a dome you can offer spectators the sensation of flying through space, diving deep in the oceans and even exploring paintings by famous artists. Domes can also be made into a shared virtual reality gaming experience. Family and friends can play together without the need for individual headsets. Now players can interact with each other directly while completing levels to their favorite games.
World’s Largest Projection Dome in Miami by Lumen and Forge
The Future
In recent years there has been a lot of conversation about starting a colony on Mars and terraforming the landscape to make it habitable for people. When it comes to designing how we would live and operate on the red desert planet; domes will play an integral part in maintaining habitability. Domes will be used for colonizing space in all the ways that we have discussed in this article. We will need domes for shelter, education, agriculture and even entertainment when building civilization on a new planet. These “space domes” will need to be built with different materials to account for the radiation of space. As well, they will need to be made of materials that can hold up against the winds, temperatures and must account for the gaseous climate. We are still years away from the first human led Mars expedition but the use of domes on Mars is almost certainly a guarantee.
Ideas for the Future – Dome Rendering by Lumen and Forge
As you can see, domes have many potential applications. They are a versatile and efficient form of architecture that can be used for a variety of purposes. Domes offer a unique experience that is not possible with other types of structures, which makes them an interesting option for businesses looking to stand out from the competition. If you are looking for an eye-catching and interesting structure for your next project, then you should definitely consider using a dome. Contact us to learn more!
Geodesic domes have grown a lot in popularity in recent years and the practical uses for them have grown too. Domes are designed based on common geometric patterns found all throughout nature; the geodesic polyhedron and the hexagon. Think of all the times you see that shape in nature. Beehives, spider webs and even pineapples all rely on the even surface tension of the hexagonal shape. This shape is what makes spider webs impervious to heavy, sustained hurricane winds and beehives strong enough to support all that extra weight from the honey they produce. It was this principle that led Buckminster Fuller to design the first geodesic dome based on the natural laws of physics. Another beneficial feature of the geodesic dome is that they can be easily customized for insulation depending on their external environment. You can use different materials to trap heat or reflect sunlight to keep it cool in hotter climates. This feature makes them sustainable options for those who wish to minimize their dependence on institutional power sources.
Because of their architecturally sound design, sustainable elements and 360 degree geometric space; domes are ideal for a myriad of applications. In this article we will explore some of the many possible uses for domes and talk about the advantages that domes may have over other types of structures.
Homes and Living Spaces
One possible use of domes is as a home. There are many reasons why domes make great homes. They are naturally efficient in terms of energy use, they are durable and can withstand severe weather conditions, they are visually appealing and they offer a sense of spaciousness that other types of structures cannot match. Imagine ascending a spiral staircase that traces the walls of your abode leading to lofts on separate landings. One landing is your office and another a bedroom or a bathroom.
Dome homes have been growing in popularity all over the world as people become more and more interested in sustainable living. Additionally, for those who wish to build off grid, domes are ideal as they require less energy to achieve the desired internal temperature. Imagine walking into a home that maintains its own temperature. No more fighting over the thermostat with your flat mates. Let nature take care of that for you!
Interior of a Dome Home – Source: Inhabitat
Commercial Buildings
Domes are also becoming increasingly popular for commercial buildings. Their efficient design makes them ideal for use in eco-friendly buildings, and their natural insulation helps to keep occupants cool in summer and warm in winter. Since they are built in a geometric pattern they can be scaled up or down to meet the needs of the dwellers. Domes can also be made to look quite striking, which can give a business an edge over its competitors. These days, your office building is as much a part of your business image as your brand.
Capital One Venture Dome by Lumen and Forge
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the most common uses of domes. Their shape makes them ideal for greenhouses, and the fact that they are made of lightweight materials means that they are easy to transport and install, making them the ideal structure to build out on a ranch or farm. Domes are very easily climate controlled giving the farmer the ability to grow more types of crops in their ideal climates. A great example of the agricultural use of domes is the Eden project in The UK. The main building’s blueprint was inspired by the growth pattern of plants and the dome’s foundations were built based on the imperfect way that bubbles group together to maximize efficiency on uneven surfaces.
Currently domes are being used in desert climates to grow things like lettuce, cucumbers and fruit that would otherwise be impossible to enjoy in those places. Domes are an especially good option for agricultural pursuits in places with unstable or arid climates. You can control temperatures better and avoid losing your crops to volatile weather events as well as conserve water in places where access to fresh water is scarce.
Energy Dome Rendering – Source: Business Wire
Emergency Shelters
A possible use of domes that stands out is as a humanitarian aid. Domes make great emergency shelters. Their round shape is both strong and efficient, making them ideal for use in disaster relief situations. Domes can also be fixed to provide an airtight environment to allow medical professionals to operate in a sterile setting in case they need to act quickly in the event of emergency operations. They are also easy to assemble, which means that they can be set up quickly in order to provide shelter for those who need it and easily packed and moved when their use is needed elsewhere. That means that domes can be shipped all over the world with ease to help those in need of humanitarian support.
Emergency Shelter Domes in Haiti – Source: Acted
Education
Domes are also being used more and more for educational purposes. Their unique shape and interesting history make them a great option for teaching about architecture, engineering and geography. Domes can also be used to teach about sustainable living practices and how to use natural resources in an efficient way. Immersive domes are already utilized for many types of education. Pilots practice taking off and landing by sitting in a small dome intentionally designed to mimic the inside of a cockpit. Lighting designers and special effects engineers use similar domes to simulate famous stadiums so they can program their light shows and effects to fit the venue without actually being there. One of the most familiar uses of domes for education is as a planetarium. Planetariums have been around for decades and offer a visually accurate display of the stars and planets in a way that helps people to understand difficult concepts like orbital patterns. For many elementary school students a trip to the planetarium is a field trip you may never forget.
Immersive Dome Experience by Lumen and Forge
Entertainment
Another possible use of domes is in the entertainment industry. Their striking appearance and unusual design make them a popular choice for use in films, TV shows and music videos. They can be used to create an interesting backdrop or to provide an interesting space for performers to work in. A prime example of domes used for entertainment is Spaceship Earth at Disney World in Orlando, FL. The modern marvel is a perfect sphere and houses a thrill ride that takes you on a journey through human history highlighting moments when we made incredible advancements in communication. The structure stands as an icon of architectural genius and is seen by millions of visitors every year.
Domes are also being utilized by musicians and performers. Some bands are creating virtual concert experiences to be projected in domes that can play in many cities simultaneously and even tour the world. Domes are also being widely used for immersive exhibits which offer attendees a unique experience by creating a virtual environment through projection mapping. By utilizing the right projectors inside a dome you can offer spectators the sensation of flying through space, diving deep in the oceans and even exploring paintings by famous artists. Domes can also be made into a shared virtual reality gaming experience. Family and friends can play together without the need for individual headsets. Now players can interact with each other directly while completing levels to their favorite games.
World’s Largest Projection Dome in Miami by Lumen and Forge
The Future
In recent years there has been a lot of conversation about starting a colony on Mars and terraforming the landscape to make it habitable for people. When it comes to designing how we would live and operate on the red desert planet; domes will play an integral part in maintaining habitability. Domes will be used for colonizing space in all the ways that we have discussed in this article. We will need domes for shelter, education, agriculture and even entertainment when building civilization on a new planet. These “space domes” will need to be built with different materials to account for the radiation of space. As well, they will need to be made of materials that can hold up against the winds, temperatures and must account for the gaseous climate. We are still years away from the first human led Mars expedition but the use of domes on Mars is almost certainly a guarantee.
Ideas for the Future – Dome Rendering by Lumen and Forge
Marketing
Domes are also being used as a marketing tool. When you combine domes and projection mapping you have the perfect medium for use in advertising campaigns. You can showcase new technology in a way that leaves a lasting impression on your audience. Is your company’s headquarters based in another city or country? You can bring the audience there by means of a virtual experience made possible by projecting inside a dome. Want to beat out the competition at the next big convention? Flex your company’s image by turning your campaign into an immersive experience.
Jeep 4D Theater by Lumen and Forge
As you can see, domes have many potential applications. They are a versatile and efficient form of architecture that can be used for a variety of purposes. Domes offer a unique experience that is not possible with other types of structures, which makes them an interesting option for businesses looking to stand out from the competition. If you are looking for an eye-catching and interesting structure for your next project, then you should definitely consider using a dome. Contact us to learn more!
