GeoStudios

[Experiment: experiment k-spr-mnt noun . A test under controlled conditions that is made to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy of something previously untried.] GeoStudios is all about R&D, discovering new things, accelerating the process to make domes even more affordable than they are and, making them easy to assemble for your Saturday morning carpenter. So in that spirit I designed a pentagon that did not require the tedious and painstaking arrowhead cuts at each end of each chord piece. (240 compound cuts but who’s counting). But alas, as experiments often go, it was a fail, yet not without it’s concomitant learning. You may not see it but can your ‘engineers intuition’ tell why this was unworkable?

The chord, the hub and the pentagons. The chords (arms) in the pentagon meet at the hub. The more perfect the cuts the more perfect the hub. You will notice that all geodesic domes have their different means of hub connection. All are good, but very few are made with 2x4 lumber. I think GeoStudios has met that challenge.

The standard 2v dome frame is made with 60 pieces of 2x4 lumber. Each piece is cut like an arrowhead at both ends. Cutting these ends can be the most difficult and frustrating woodcutting experience you’ll have, short of cutting off a finger. These pieces fit together to form 6 pentagons. The larger the dome, the larger the pentagons need to be. These pentagons facilitate modular assembly on site. Which is why GeoStudios can transport and assemble a dome in hours.

One whole 5 sided pentagon covered with cardboard backed chip bag foil. Insulation value plus reflectivity. Especially good for cold frames, greenhouses, etc ;)