Geodesic domes
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Geodesic domes can be built easily and cheaply and are the strongest and lightest structure yet conceived. Compared to a rectangular structure of similar size, they have half as much wall-area, which means they lose only half as much heat through the walls. This makes them very energy-efficient.
Housing Costs
Geodesic Aquaponics Full System Cost
For a 12m diameter 2000sq^ft dome:
544 linear meters of wood at 60p per meter = 325 pounds
226m^2 of polythene = 305 pounds
1000 fish aquaponics system:
6m x 5m pond liner = 45 pounds
15watts 12 vDC airpump = 110 pounds
50watt 12vDC water pump = 160 pounds
1000 carp = 300 pounds or 1000 bream = 888 pounds
Subterranean heating and cooling system:
15w 12vDC inline fan = 35 pounds
100mm x 100m perforated drainage pipe = 146 pounds
Solar system: 100w monocrystalline solar panel = 100 pounds
12v 100Ah absorbed glass mat batteries = 165 pounds
12v 15A charge controller = 40 pounds
Miscellaneous: Piping = 50 pounds humidistats/thermostats/ timers = 50 pounds
total 1830 pounds
to put this in perspective this system should theoretically produce at least 500 kg of fish per year, 4000 lettuce per week and 4000 bunches of tomatoes per week.
A geodesic dome is built from a skeleton of triangles, covered with an outer skin. The skeleton could be made of wood, steel or other substances, which could probably be digitally fabbed.
- Free plans for a geodesic dome
- Useful tool: the dome calculator - calculates the building materials needed to build a dome of your chosen size
- Another dome calculator (the website is in Russian but it can be easily translated with Google Translate).
- Geodesic dome construction video-tutorial: Part 1 - Overview, Part 2 - Hub Construction, Part 3- Strut Construction
Many Uses
from the Pacific Domes website: event, shelter, projection, greenhouse, playground, sports, relief, wedding, yoga, bioenergy, Vaastu, aquaponic