I wanted to make a small play house for the kids, but I didn't want to spend money. Aside from a $3 pack of hot glue sticks, everything I used here is stuff I already had.
I searched online for geodesic domes so I wouldn't have to do all the math myself. I found a suitable one that people suggested homeless people use as emergency shelter, then scaled it down and added squares on the bottom.
For this project, I used:
cardboard
box cutter
pen or pencil
ruler
hot glue
white school glue
clear spray primer and top coat
white spray paint
metallic spray paint (in two colors I happened to have)
black and white acrylic paint
metal powder mixed with white glue (use metallic paint if you have it; i didn't)
chopstick, napkin, and tape (use a round brush if you have one)
small paintbrush
large crappy paintbrush
I searched online for geodesic domes so I wouldn't have to do all the math myself. I found a suitable one that people suggested homeless people use as emergency shelter, then scaled it down and added squares on the bottom.
For this project, I used:
cardboard
box cutter
pen or pencil
ruler
hot glue
white school glue
clear spray primer and top coat
white spray paint
metallic spray paint (in two colors I happened to have)
black and white acrylic paint
metal powder mixed with white glue (use metallic paint if you have it; i didn't)
chopstick, napkin, and tape (use a round brush if you have one)
small paintbrush
large crappy paintbrush
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Signing UpStep 1: Measure and cut triangles and squares
If there were no doors or windows in this dome, it would consist of:
30 AAB triangles
10 BBB triangles
10 B squares
In this case, A measured 10 7/16 inches and B measured 12 inches.
I drew 1 inch flaps outside the edges of the triangles and squares (skipping the corners, as shown) so I could attach things together on the inside of the dome.
I left out three of the BBB triangles to make two windows and the top of the door for this project, and one of the B squares.
I suggest holding a ruler tightly while you slice along the outline of your shapes with a box cutter. Remember to cut outside the flaps, not inside them along the triangle or square. It helps to cut one and use it as a guide to trace the others, then cut the rest along the pencil lines, rather than measuring every time.
30 AAB triangles
10 BBB triangles
10 B squares
In this case, A measured 10 7/16 inches and B measured 12 inches.
I drew 1 inch flaps outside the edges of the triangles and squares (skipping the corners, as shown) so I could attach things together on the inside of the dome.
I left out three of the BBB triangles to make two windows and the top of the door for this project, and one of the B squares.
I suggest holding a ruler tightly while you slice along the outline of your shapes with a box cutter. Remember to cut outside the flaps, not inside them along the triangle or square. It helps to cut one and use it as a guide to trace the others, then cut the rest along the pencil lines, rather than measuring every time.
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Problem. I have been heaving every box; now I will have to save them. How will I ever make up my mind. (wink)
Great instructable - and your dedication to decorating this just-so is remarkable. Lovely work.
Geodesic dome calculations made easy all ya gotta do is the labor you can makem kiddy sized or full sized like a house or garage this calculator takes out the heavy brain work !.
http://www.desertdomes.com/faq.html
It inspired me to do a homage-'ible, http://www.instructables.com/id/Cat-sized-Cardboard-Dome/ , I hope you like it.
And our new cat happens to love cardboard boxes, I could make one for her too so she would spend more time out from under the sofa.
One idea would be to try and make this out of fabric-covered parts with velcro to attach it together (and make it easily collapsible), but would it hold its structure? Any ideas, anyone?
I think the main point of constructing a big structure is to make it light to prevent collapsing and attach the parts firmly to each other.
You could probably get by with Duct Tape just on the outside, but for maximum strength and rigidity it would be better to use it on both the outside and inside of each joint.
Isn't wonderful how good ideas just live forever.. :) Thanks to Bucky fuller and you, your children will always see space as something different...
would you make a 'screen' to ''hold'' the shotcrete? sounds like your HOUSE had an even temp all year round,
do you have pic's of your house??
I have pictures of the one I lived in somewhere just have to find them or go take some more..
gezz, R48 is hugh, no wonder the HVAC was so low,
may I suggest you look at a product called ''hemp-crete' .com, amazing stuff
can't wait to see the pictures
thanks for sharing and major kudos to you.
http://www.fetchaphrase.com/dome/
on a more serious note, i really like your design. i am thinking of scaling it up and using velcro so i can make something like this for an ultra portable emergency-type shelter.
one could use 2 inch silvered(one side) foam, fiber glass each section trapping in an industrial velcro 'A' as a flap. 'B' glued onto the corresponding piece, the whole thing would weigh maybe 5 pounds, tape the outside with silver tape
would make a very sturdy quick shelter, for either hot or cold, rain, the base might be problematic, still a great idea,
good luck with this
Icosahedron for the top, into a sq'ed base, love the dominoes,
also consider a dodecahedron for the top, still into a sq'ed base, again leave a panel out for a window
brilliant!!!
Steve
Here's a good, cheap, and extremely useful tool to add to your arsenal if you tend to make stuff frequently out of cardboard: it's a spline rolling tool.
They're generally used to insert the rubber spline that holds screen material into window screen frames. It's like a pizza cutter with a fat plastic wheel at either end. I use mine all the time with a straight edge for quickly creasing cardboard for folding. It's a great little tool. You can get them at home stores and even Walmart.
I have one of these in my shop I have never used. I am going to get it right now and put it in my paper crafting toolbox. Here i thought I was smart at re-purposing tools but this one has been staring at me along and I never thought of it. Kudos too you!
If I had kids, I would make this for them right now. Since I don't...Hmmmm, what excuse can a grown man come up with for building one of these...?
I know! I'll claim that it's a scale replica of a greenhouse I plan on building from scratch. :D
i had something like that in mind - now i don't have to figure it out on my own !
great, thanks!