According to relevant resources (guys may read from different kind of materials), Geodesic Dome is a spherical or partial-spherical shell structure or lattice shell based on a network of great circles (geodesics) on the surface of a sphere.
Geodesic Dome
It was designed by Walter Bauersfeld and popularized by the famous architect Buckminster Fuller.
Walter Bauersfeld
Buckminster Fuller
Intention
I can say this assignment intentionally providing us the very best platform to work together as a team. Designing a geodesic dome from the prefabricated/ unused/ recycled materials was the main objective.
Actors
Our team consisted of 9 persons which came from different majors. I can say that working together with people with different major here in University level gave me a basic understanding on how i am going to face my career for the next 3 years ahead in real Built Environment. This exercise provided me with some sort of experience which will be useful in the future. The whole team members were working together and fully committed providing all sort of inputs to materialize the design.
The Team (before hehe)
From the Front (Firdaus Ar, Nabihah - BT, Arina - ID, Chong Jian - CM), Middle Row from the Right (Mazlina - QS, Su - BS and Iklil - PL) and me at the last back from Ar. notes: AR (Architecture), QS (Quantity Surveyor), PL (Urban Planning), BS (Building Survey), BT (Building Technology) and ID (Interior Design)
Site
I really loved the scenery here, it was held on 1st October 2014 at Dataran Konvo, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The area is actually green with lots of big landscape trees. Surrounding area is always cool even at the noon due to the shady effect from the trees and air was refreshing and while the most interesting part is the sound of chipping birds harmonize the acoustic in that particular site.
Trees and greens
Rules/ Law
Each groups was assigned to built geo-desic dome which is made of recycled, unused materials. The materials has to be transported to the selected site, and most importantly prefabricated and assembled during the GD Day.
Bamboo
Used ropes
Act
Well we came to many stages of materializing the geodesic dome. Firstly the design process. We argued a lot (ha ha), sort of shapes, materials and finishing would be applied.
Design Process
Design endorsed!
Then it came, the construction process. We chose Buluh (Bamboo) as our main skeleton for our dome for several reasons. Bamboo is naturally grown abundantly here in the campus, so there are plenty supply for it whenever the Jabatan Pembangunan doing their landscape maintenance, some of the grown up branches will be cut and thrown away. Instead of being a rubbish, we made use the bamboo to built our dome.
Skilled partners!
Attaching each bamboos
Our own workshop
Attaching bamboos in the middle
Erecting test
Our own bamboo skeleton!
Last stage would be the finishing of our beloved dome. We applied different type of materials to resemble and experience the dome would provide us. We made doors at the front, very simple style everyone can slip through inside because we used used canvas. As for the roof and wall, we basically used canvas also and cardboard which made of boxes covered in plastic to demonstrate the waterproof effect. In addition to that, we had our own transparent roof which made of transparent used plastic to mimic the see through glass and this actually provide natural light penetration to our dome. Last and not least, we also constructed two small porthole windows to allow natural ventilation take place and thus providing a healthy air to the occupants.
Assembling roof
Product
So here it is our own version of geodesic dome, the Mongolian Face Dome. A pair of porthole windows gave the dome has its own eyes and face. At the peak of the roof is a structure resembles long hair been tight, the function is to prevent water from coming inside and give an aesthetic appearance to the tent. Each dome for each group went for two tests which shown below (enjoy the videos):
The FaceHouse (looked worry because it has to be tested on that day :) )
a) Endurance Test
This is the test for strength and stability of structure. We were asked to lift up our structure as high above our heads and on the counting of three, each of us had to release the structure to fall free to the ground. Assessment is easy, structure intact : PASS, and if the structure breaking into pieces : STRUCTURE FAILED. Every group has to pass this test to proceed for the second test. We PASSED.
b) Weather Test Weather test basically an assessment to validate the level of protecting services which the structure can provide from natural forces such as rain in this case and worst case weather as well like wind and typhoon. First, it was a normal rainy day....
Then, suddenly without warning... the rainy turn to violent typhoon and .... enjoy... hahaha.
Conclusion
Collectively, erecting this simple structure ain't easy as everyone might see. It required commitment, efforts and especially a team player to construct this structure. We learnt important team work is important and very essential to smoothen any projects.
The Team (after having so much fun) enjoyed the day!
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