Richard Buckminster Fuller and the History of Geodesic Domes

The design principles of the SOLARDOME® glasshouse are based on the revolutionary work of American inventor, architect, engineer, mathematician and cosmologist, Richard Buckminster ‘Bucky’ Fuller (1895-1983). He was the second president of Mensa and awarded 25 US patents.

Throughout his life, Fuller was concerned with whether “humanity has a chance to survive lastingly and successfully on planet Earth, and if so, how?” In pursuing this lifelong experiment, Fuller wrote more than thirty books and pioneered numerous inventions, chiefly in the fields of design and architecture. In the 1940s he set out to create a ‘design science’ that would produce the best solution to mankind’s housing problems using minimal consumption of energy and materials.

By replicating ‘nature’s own co-ordinate system’ which can be found in all spheres – from planets to molecules – and understanding that gravitational forces are spherical, his work challenged the efficiency of the traditional ‘linear’ architectural structures, and the geodesic dome was born.

This remarkable, sphere-like structure was based on theories of ‘energetic-synergetic geometry’. Fuller demonstrated that a sphere was the most efficient space as it encloses the most volume using the least surface area. Any dome therefore has the least surface through which to lose heat and has the unique ability to stand up to potentially damaging winds.

Fuller’s efforts in creating the geodesic dome were applauded in 1970 when he was awarded a gold medal by the American Institute of Architects, critically acclaiming it as “the strongest, lightest and most efficient means of enclosing space known to man.” Carbon molecules known as ‘fullerenes’ or ‘buckyballs’ are so-called because of their resemblance to a geodesic sphere.

Geodesic Domes Today 

Although the geodesic dome was widely hailed as a credible solution to world housing shortages, this ability was never fully realized. However, its efficient and economical shape makes it perfect for a range of applications in the modern world as can be seen in the way our SOLARDOME® glasshouse are used across the domestic, commercial and educational arenas.

Please see some of our technical information in this About Domes section which demonstrates how our SOLARDOME® glasshouses take advantage of the geodesic shape to create the best growing enviroment available in the most energy efficient shape compared to traditional glasshouse designs.