Geodesic Domes [Paperback]

Borin Van Loon (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Each of the models in this book is both beautiful and interesting and plays its part as a hands-on introduction to the study of geodesic domes. It was the American architect Buckminster Fuller who pioneered this type of building and who also helped to establish a sound basis for designing them. With the aid of its models, this book explains the underlying theory and shows how a sphere can be divided and subdivided symmetrically to create dramtic buildings which are light and strong and have no need of internal support.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 60 pages
• Publisher: Tarquin (March 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0906212928
• ISBN-13: 978-0906212929
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 9.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #237,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The geometry of geodesic domes using cut-out models, May 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Geodesic Domes (Paperback)

This is classified as a children's book, but it isn't so simple. It would be suitable for teenagers but the mathematics is relevant whatever your age and it is described clearly and concisely. However, if you're looking for a book on dome architecture this is not for you. There are two models that demonstrate the ideas about the subdivision of triangles to approximate the sphere based on the octahedron and the icosahedron. Then there are three 'architectural' dome models and lastly a model of the carbon molecule bukminsterfullerene. Each model is included for a reason and there's an explanatory text to accompany each one. The book does not cover real examples of domes much (only a sketch of the Expo 67 pavilion), although the introduction briefly explains the history and reason for them. It is important to understand that this is not a book about dome architecture: it covers the math behind the concept and explains it using cut-out models.

29 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Childrens book with cutout domes., November 4, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geodesic Domes (Paperback)

Don't be fooled by the title of this book. It is not an architectural treatise, it's a children's book with cutouts that let you make a paper model. If you want a good book on the architecture of Geodesic Domes, buy a biography of Buckminster Fuller.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Geodesic Basics, February 11, 2002

By 

Michael O Shaver (Livermore, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geodesic Domes (Paperback)

The book provides basic insights into geodesic design of higher frequency structures from the fundamental icosehdral blocks. Cut out patterns provide some hands on builds. Worth the money.