Bamboo Geodesic Dome
Intro: Bamboo Geodesic Dome
This intructable shows how to make a simple and low cost geodesic dome shelter out of recycled materials and bamboo.
STEP 1: Bamboo and Structure
What you need is 26 4ft bamboo sticks and about 120ft of nylon rope.
The structure of this geodesic domes is shown in the photo below:
The structure of this geodesic domes is shown in the photo below:
STEP 2: Turning Bamboo Sticks Into Tubes.
Bamboo sticks are almost natural tubes, except for the fact that there are thin ridge barriers every 6 inches.
Poke out these barriers with a long metal rod.
Poke out these barriers with a long metal rod.
STEP 3: Stringing the Bamboo Tubes
String the nylon rope into the bamboo tubes with the help of a long metal rod. (Tape the string to the end of the metal rod.)
STEP 4: Constructing the Structure.
Constructing the structure is fairly straightforward. Follow the diagram and wrap the rope and bamboo sticks around each other. The structure will stay up by friction and tension. The structure is inherently pretty strong.
STEP 5: Creating the Covering
For the covering, we used old vinyl material for the outside and lined it on the inside with old clothing.
We cut 25 4.5ft x4.5ft x4.5ft triangles from old vinyl. Then we cut up and pieced together 25 4ft x4ft x4ft triangles from old clothing. We sewed each cloth triangle to the vinyl one, and then sewed the vinyl triangles together, creating the covering.
We also made a vinyl 4ft-side pentagon and clothe 4ft-side pentagon for the floor.
The floor attaches to the outer covering by zippers. One of the bottom ring triangles is a door, and opens also by zipper.
Over all, it is a lot of sewing.
We cut 25 4.5ft x4.5ft x4.5ft triangles from old vinyl. Then we cut up and pieced together 25 4ft x4ft x4ft triangles from old clothing. We sewed each cloth triangle to the vinyl one, and then sewed the vinyl triangles together, creating the covering.
We also made a vinyl 4ft-side pentagon and clothe 4ft-side pentagon for the floor.
The floor attaches to the outer covering by zippers. One of the bottom ring triangles is a door, and opens also by zipper.
Over all, it is a lot of sewing.
STEP 6: Structure Completed
When the structure is complete and set up, it is quite neat. looking like a space camp on the outside, but a colorful, cozy space inside.
STEP 7: Packing Up
We also sewed a 4ft by 4ft bag.
When the structure is taken down, everything can fit into this bag.
So this bamboo geodesic dome is quite portable.
When the structure is taken down, everything can fit into this bag.
So this bamboo geodesic dome is quite portable.
17 Comments
npmaier 10 years ago
Haven't started the actual construction, but taking your idea, I'm using giant reeds. Adurno Doxas. They are invasive I believe and are growing across the street. I cut some 30 foot reeds down. They are naturally hollow and look like they'll dry pretty much like bamboo. I'll be making a small one for garden plants.
veganboyscout 10 years ago
veganboyscout 10 years ago
blazeorion 10 years ago
mountainmandan 12 years ago
Ray from RI 11 years ago
Ray from RI 11 years ago
oftheEarth 13 years ago
ivan_s 13 years ago
solitary man 13 years ago
javivi116 14 years ago
Increible lo que se puede hacer con 25 cañas de bambu y unos trapitos.
Seth Black 14 years ago
Just curious. What did your inside dimensions end up being, once you got everything together? Looks a wee bit crowded for any shot at getting a good night's sleep. :)
l8nite 14 years ago
mycroftxxx 14 years ago
rimar2000 14 years ago
lemonie 14 years ago
PKM 14 years ago