2v Geodesic Dome

Status: Complete

Contents

Introduction

This project was a fun one! From small beginnings in the back garden, it has turned into an annual session at the University of Brighton with around 125 Education students building domes.

I got a new push bike in 2023 and it came double boxed, so I had enough large pieces of cardboard to cut out dome panels. I managed to cut the 50 panels required for a 1.3m diameter 2v geodesic dome with sides. This 2v dome is a very easy dome to build, it sits flat on the ground and only requires three different shapes to build it: 10 equilateral triangles, 30 isosceles triangles and 10 squares.

The panels were joined inside and out using gummed 'kraft' tape, activated using a wet sponge. It bonds very well to cardboard and dries quickly forming a strong, but flexible join.

The dome ended up being 130cm wide and about 110cm tall. The result was a nice little dome that small children could stand up in. It immediately sparked my interest in building one double the size that adults could stand up in!

Six months later I applied for funding from the University of Brighton to run a team-building session for first year students, building five 2v geodesic domes across the week. It went well and we returned to build seven domes in 2026. The domes are now a regular part of the first year BA Education student experience at the University of Brighton.

Materials & tools required for a single 2.6m diameter dome:

• Double-walled corrugated cardboard (1200mm x 800mm): 30 sheets required
• Steel metre ruler
• Pen or pencil
• Pre-made triangle templates


• Stanley knife (box cutter, utility knife, carpet knife)
• Large cutting mat


• Poster paint (1 bottle)
• Sponge (for stencilling)
• Stencils


• Gummed kraft tape: 50m roll
• Sponge (for wetting the tape)
• Washing up bowl 1/3 full of water