LAUSR

Abstract Conventional views of R. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes suggest that domes were a naturally occurring form that was made usable through Fuller’s unique intuition and engineering know-how. However, geodesic domes were actually the outcome of a long-standing fascination with spherical geometry and multiple collaborations with individuals, universities, and military partners. This paper traces the evolution of R. Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic domes from the late 1940s to the 1970s with specific reference to collaborative projects. In addition, this article also comments upon why geodesic domes proved to be such a flexible architectural form, housing everything from radar equipment to radical back-to-landers.