world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
 
 
 
the U-dome adapts the modular geometry of buckminster fuller’s geodesic dome. U-domes have been used for disaster response, portable medical clinics, relief agency centers, temporary housing, storage, and workshops. the patterns can easily incorporate local materials, and they are re-usable. world shelters is a non-profit california based manufacturer serving as a private volunteer organization. since 1986 they focus on providing low-cost, durable shelters to those in need.
world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
 
 
 
the benefits are: lightweight shipping, simple assembly, low cost, withstand extreme heat and cold, significant wind, and light snow loads with proper installation, hard walls for durability. the design features are: weatherproof corrugated polypropylene, flame retardant, UV resistant, weather tight, shingled construction, panels form internal support struts.
 
world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
pinned to the ground
world shelters: U dome
external flaps shingle all seams
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
door frame fits a standard pre-hung door
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
plastic sheeting is used on the floor and sealed to the walls
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
triangular window of acrylic (plexiglas) sheet, installs in a shingled opening for no leaking
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
aluminum hooded vent blocks wind and rain
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
ventilation
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
precision die-cut sheets
image © designboom
world shelters: U dome
sheets fixed together
image © designboom

 

 
world shelters: U dome
 
 
in 2004 the US postal service released a commemorative buckminster fuller stamp, 2004 was chosen as the year to release the stamp as it marks the 50th anniversary of fuller’s patent for the geodesic dome. this project was part of the exhibition ‘casa per tutti’ (housing for all): milan triennale, 23 may – 14 september 08