Geodesic domes are an amazing blend of aesthetic appeal and practical design, but due to their complicated structure, they’re tricky to make from scratch yourself, and it’s very expensive to employ someone to do it! We wanted to make the process easy for anyone interested in creating their own dome. Hence, our geodesic dome kits!
Our geodesic dome kits are designed to be durable but also incredibly easy to build. Our hubs make it easy to connect the sticks together, (we make the complicated bit, and the joints, easy) so you don’t have to worry about complicated maths or precise engineering. For this reason, our kits make domes accessible to everyone, you don’t need to be a DIY expert or have any experience building structures. If you can cut a stick, and use a screwdriver, you can build a dome with our kit.
Following our straightforward instructions makes building the dome a fun and rewarding project. Plus, the end result is incredibly satisfying, and you can surprise people with your impressive DIY skills!
In this blog post, we'll explain what you get inside the kit, and how you build your dome, plus, we'll share some great projects that other people have made for inspiration. Hopefully, this will help you kickstart your dome-building adventure.
What’s inside our geodesic dome kit
Now, let's dive into what you'll find in our geodesic dome kits.
5 and 6-way hubs:
You'll find just two types of hubs in the kit – 6x 5-way hubs and 20x 6-way hubs. These hubs are the clever connectors that make everything possible. Once you've attached ball connectors to your sticks (we'll get to those next), simply snap them into the hubs to start building.
Ball connector x150:
They screw onto the ends of your sticks, and snap into the hubs, creating the connections that hold your dome together.
Wood screw x150:
You'll need these to attach the ball connectors to the sticks securely.
Hub screw x26: These screws go through the centre of the hub, playing a pivotal role in clamping everything together securely.
Locking plate x26:
These handy plates come into play once your dome is in its final position. They clamp the ball connectors in place, ensuring everything stays put.
Wing nut x25:
The wing nuts screw onto the end of the hub screw, clamping the locking plate in place and keeping things tight.
Hanging eyelet x1:
This is a special piece that allows you to hang something delightful from the centre of your dome, adding a personal touch to your creation.
Allen key x1:
Last but not least, the Allen key is your trusty tool for holding the hub screws in position when you're clamping the hubs together.
Directions:
We’ve spent quite a lot of time figuring out how to best describe building a dome with hubs. The instructions are clear and simple, even groups of children have successfully followed them. The instructions include a kit overview, top tips and watch-outs, base and cover options, and of course a detailed step-by-step building guide.
Just add sticks.
The kits are designed to work with wood. When it comes to choosing the perfect sticks, there are plenty of options. You can opt for roofing battens, hardwood dowels, chestnut fence pales, oiled oak, broom handles, curtain rails, and more.
To find your sticks, local DIY centres, carpenters, woodworkers, or even traditional fence makers can help you get what you need. There is some helpful information and specs or sticks on our stick guide page. It includes a handy stick length calculator where you can input your desired dome diameter and find out how long your sticks should be.
We also offer broom handles (that can be used as sticks) that deliver to UK Mainland only, these are a great option if you want to get building straight away!
Can I use PVC or metal tubes (or bamboo)?
Yes, it is possible, there are a few ideas here.
Our Mini Kits
If you want to gain a better understanding of our DIY kits and the construction process, consider starting with our Mini Kits. These kits feature mini 5 and 6-way hubs, paper drinking straws that are easy to cut into sticks, and base feet.
They provide an excellent introduction to dome building with hubs and make great gifts for children - we've designed the parts to work with LEGO, allowing kids to integrate their domes into their LEGO world!
Interested? Find them here.
Why choose our geodesic dome kits?
- Stability and Strength: Geodesic domes are renowned for their incredible strength and stability. The triangular structure distributes weight evenly, making them capable of withstanding tough weather conditions, from heavy snow loads to strong winds.
- Easy Assembly: While a ‘geodesic dome’ might sound intimidating, assembling a dome with one of our kits is surprisingly straightforward, and our easy-to-follow instructions ensure a smooth, and really rewarding building process.
- Versatility: Geodesic domes have a wide range of applications. From greenhouses and fruit cages, to event spaces and art installations, the possibilities are endless.
- Durability: Our geodesic dome kits are built to last. The hubs are made using UV-stabilised plastic commonly used in car parts, and the metal parts are stainless steel (meaning they won’t rust) so they will last a long time outdoors.
- Eco-Friendly: Geodesic domes are eco-friendly by design. Their efficient use of materials and space aligns with sustainable living principles.
So, whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a first-time builder, our geodesic dome kits open up a world of possibilities for your creative projects.
Examples and Inspiration
To fuel your imagination, here are some great examples that have been made using the kit.
Garden and Allotment Marvels:
Many of our kits have found their home in gardens and allotments. From greenhouse havens for your favourite plants, to fruit cages, pool covers, chicken coops, and outdoor seating areas.
Event spaces:
Geodesic dome kits have been used to craft unique event spaces. Their distinctive style lends itself perfectly to creating special celebrations. Over the years, we've seen our kits being used for weddings, birthday celebrations, summer parties and more.
Set designs:
Believe it or not, our geodesic domes built with hubs have taken the stage! They've been featured in theatrical productions and music videos, creating a distinctive and innovative space. The domes have a way of captivating audiences.
Children’s dens:
We commonly see a lot of dens being made by children, for children, including this vibrant, bright yellow treehouse in Italy. They're great fun to build as a family, and also encourages imaginative play for the little ones.
Lighting installations:
"When in Dome" is a great example. Amy Goodchild built an immersive light installation crafted to investigate communal experiences. Within a geodesic dome, built with hubs, the installation is illuminated with lights, and reacts to the movements of individuals, creating a venue for collective engagement.
Geodesic domes are not just about aesthetics; they also play a role in scientific endeavours. For instance, Michael Pinsky's "Pollution Pods" project utilised our kits to create an immersive experience. Visitors had the unique opportunity to step inside five interconnected domes, each carefully crafted to replicate different levels of pollution and city odours from around the world. It's a fascinating way to learn about the global impact of air quality. For more details about Michael Pinsky's groundbreaking project and how our kits contributed to this sensory journey, click here).
Films & TV:
We've sometimes found the domes on our TV screens! A recent example we came across was the BBC programme 'Between the Covers', where our kits were used in the set design, find it here. You'll also come across them frequently in sci-fi, where they are a popular choice for spaceships and moon bases. Why not try and make your own?!
Geodesic domes made simple
Think of our kits as your ultimate shortcut to creating something incredibly cool. They come with all the essential components you need to build your very own geodesic dome – and the best part is, you don't need an engineering degree to make it happen.
So, if you fancy trying it out, why not explore our geodesic dome kits, and see what you’d like to build?
We're excited to see your geodesic dome projects come to life, and we encourage you to share your experiences with us, feel free to send footage of your dome journey to our socials.
Happy building!