Geodesic Dome Greenhouse

I believe it was year 2009, when i accidentally saw geodesic dome greenhouse through bus window. Since then, i am been interested about geodesic architecture. Years later when i finally had time and opportunity i decided to start working on my projects.

So far i been crafting some geodesic models, lamps, chairs.... About them later.

But now i decided to build my own geodesic greenhouse in beveled method. Due to precise work i accepted fact that i might make lot of mistakes at first try. So my idea was to build greenhouse what least at least 5 seasons and do that cheapest and use much reusable material what i can.

With the greatest respect and many thanks to Paul Robinson from Geo-dome and Trillium domes! Your instructions were very helpful!

Tools:

• Drill
• Circular saw
• Tape measurer
• Table saw
• Mitter saw
• Stapler
• Knife
• Hand saw
• Digital angle finder

Materials what i used this time:

Im not gonna give full detail material list. But most of material was reused pine.

Prework for foundation

It was end of 2023. Even before i got my supplies for building dome, i start working with foundation. For that i dug about 4.6m diameter circle.

Location was on side of hill and also pretty wet soil was under there. But choose this location because of sun. Also it was really nice to see dome there, and it also seen from elsewhere.

Like i said, it was end of year. So that's why i had to fight with snow. Luckily soil was soft and low temp did not stop me.

Lot of cutting

While the weather was to cold for working outside, i start working wit jigs and triangles indoor.

Lot of work with saw and lot of dust. But it had to be done.

Fact that my miter saw was not in good condition, i had to cut all end of triangle jigs, with hand saw. It was not so bad. Just it took much longer, also accuracy might not be best.

One biggest mistake what i made was with templates. Hexagons and pentagons triangles have one common side. Witch means it have to be same length. I did not checked that and find out about it hard way. While already working with dome.

Foundation

Spring 2024 arrived and my wife already asked me when greenhouse is ready so she can start prepare plants.

So i had to speed up.

All ready before it was warm enough. I start covering my hexa- and pentagon details with plastic. I tried to keep plastic in worm room before, but it was not enough. Again, i had to learn it hard way. So you better wait until its warm and sunny or keep plastic next to heather before you start covering details.

Installation

So installation starts. Did not even finish floor for that.

Long story short. Because of my mistakes at beginning, installation was quit a challenge. After some time of swearing we manage finish dome. True, i had to cut wedge above the door( 0-42mm ), because foundation of dome was not leveled correctly. But...Dome is up. No have to finish floor, install door and build breeding boxes for plants.

One more hind, use lot of silicon between hexa-, and pentagons. Especially if you are not sure how accurate your work is. These water leaks getting annoying.

Door, Floor and growing boxes

Finally finished door, floor and growing boxes. Many lessons learned. What to do and what not to do. About building a dome and planting plants in there.

So you have it. Geodesic greenhouse. Far from perfect work, but really interesting and fun project to do. Will definitely build in future more domes.