The Geodesic Mind Story
I have been fascinated by geodesic structures since I was a child. I even heard Buckminster Fuller speak in person a few years before he passed away. Back in 2011 I had the idea to build a 12-foot diameter geodesic sphere from locally grown bamboo. This was to test whether it might work as a treehouse hanging in the rainforest. I needed to make model first to better understand the structure. I was living on the small Caribbean island of St. Kitts and had to make do with the materials I could find in the stores on the island. One of the major challenges when making a geodesic dome or sphere is how to make the connections between the structural struts. I had read that there was a way to make the connectors from small vinyl tubing and very fortunately one of the local hardware stores had some of the right size in stock to use with bamboo sticks. I got the measurements from the dome calculator on www.desertdomes.com and prepared all the pieces for an 18 inch diameter sphere.
The 2V geodesic structure is made with 2 stick sizes and every piece must be placed correctly to form the pattern of hexagons and pentagons.I only had a diagram to work from and I had never made a geodesic structure before.So it took me quite a long time with many mistakes before I was able to complete a sphere.It was not until many years later that I figured out an easier assembly sequence. I did eventually make the 12 foot geodesic structure using only bamboo lashed together with nylon cord and the help of 30 friends but that is another story.
After 28 years in St. Kitts I moved to the UK. I decided I wanted to build another bamboo geodesic sphere to hang in an exhibition of contemporary art. The location was a Tudor Era barn with massive oak beams dating from 1435. I thought the contrast between the modern sphere structure and the ancient beams would be an interesting experience.
This 6 foot diameter sculpture is now sitting in my back garden so I get to contemplate it every day.I don’t know why I had not noticed it earlier but the 2v Geodesic Sphere is composed of 6 interlocking circles.The beauty and symmetry of the structure continues to grow on me. I thought back to the original small model I had built back in 2011. After much searching, I was able to source the right size tubing and sticks and built a 440mm diameter sphere.
Building the kit you start out with 120 sticks and 42 connectors and for a 440mm Sphere the longest stick is 136mm. Very short when you consider how large a structure it becomes part of. As you put it together and the triangles
lock together it becomes surprisingly strong and rigid. It is very light to pick up and hold. It feels like something otherworldly.
-Martin Lowell
