Maximum Yield USA December 2016 | Page 58

GOING DOME T here are many types of greenhouses to choose from, but geodesic domeshaped structures offer many benefits over other styles. Geodesic domes are created by connecting triangles together in a dome shape, using precise angles and measurements. Geodesic domes earned their spot in the limelight back in the 1940s and 50s when Buckminster Fuller first started playing with them. Fuller was a mathematician, engineer, philosopher, historian, and poet. He saw the value in geodesic domes and envisioned a future where people lived in domes rather than rectangular homes. Although Fuller’s vision hasn’t come to fruition, we can take his knowledge and use it in our gardens as the same benefits he saw for housing also apply to greenhouses. Strength of Triangles The No.1 benefit of the geodesic dome structure is the strength of the dome. They are much stronger than rectangular buildings and have been known to survive hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes. No internal supports are needed because the triangles distribute weight evenly throughout the structure. Triangles are the strongest shape there is. This can be seen by nailing four boards together to form a rec