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/sci/ - Science & Math

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File: 37 KB, 200x200, geodesicfarm.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967809 No.1967809 [Reply] [Original]

Specifically, living and farming in them. Take a look at this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF9a_1uIbfY

People farm year-round in these, pumping in warm air in the winter, with little or no need for pesticides.

The materials for the dome, plastic included, will run you less than $300. A geodesic dome is the strongest structure you can make with the least material. Lumber, metal joiners, screws and sheet vinyl. You can have one built in a weekend.

Combined with low cost modular hydroponics kits, you can have an easy, low maintinence, idiot-proof source of free food. You can also construct another dome next to it for a similarly small sum, and live there.

Discuss. Also, post pictures of badass geodesic farms and houses.

>> No.1967811
File: 73 KB, 318x484, domehouse.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967811

>> No.1967814
File: 129 KB, 500x332, buildingdome.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967814

Cost of lumber: $200
Cost of plastic: $60
Construction time: 2 days

>> No.1967818
File: 37 KB, 375x281, edenproject.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967818

They scale up well, too. These guys have replicated ecosystems from all over the world in their domes.

>> No.1967820
File: 55 KB, 453x604, edendomes.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967820

Here's one for scale.

>> No.1967844

What's that huge one in the UK called? I went there ages ago on my OE.

>> No.1967847

>>1967844
Nvm, looked at your filenames. I fail.

>> No.1967861

>>1967809
cool, you wouldn't happen to know how to calculate geodesic functions to design these domes now would you?

>> No.1967870

>>1967861

Not yet. I'm looking at different software packages designed specifically for planning geodesic domes.

>> No.1967875
File: 68 KB, 710x432, modeldome.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967875

I should add there are free ones online but they are fairly limited. There are paid design programs that let you visualise the finished dome with additions like an observation room up top (pictured) an adjacent garage, different types of entryways and so on.

>> No.1967913

>free food

try adding up the cost of building and maintaining something like this and don't forget to include labor cost. Then take that number and see how much food can you buy from that.

After that tell me its still a good idea.

Or to put it in another way if it would be all the big agricultural corporations would use it. Arguing against it is like saying that capitalist system is not rutelessly efficient

>> No.1967939
File: 18 KB, 270x267, hydrofarm.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967939

>>1967913

>>try adding up the cost of building and maintaining something like this and don't forget to include labor cost. Then take that number and see how much food can you buy from that.

I have. When I say "free" I mean in terms of overhead. I.e. operational costs.

>>After that tell me its still a good idea.

It's still a good idea.

>>Or to put it in another way if it would be all the big agricultural corporations would use it.

Many do. Pic related. Indoor hydroponic farming brings crops into the city and closer to consumers, negates the need for pesticides, permits year-round growth and prevents bad weather from killing crops.

>>Arguing against it is like saying that capitalist system is not rutelessly efficient

What? How did politics come into this?

>> No.1967946
File: 57 KB, 468x312, indoorfarm2.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967946

More indoor hydroponic farming....(Not just for pot anymore!)

>> No.1967950
File: 70 KB, 640x425, indoorgrowop.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967950

More farms....

>> No.1967953
File: 120 KB, 550x389, geodesicparadise.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967953

And now, a fucking awesome dome house.

>> No.1967955

>>1967953
I'd love to live in a greenhouse. It's like living outside without getting rained on, if one designs the sprinkler system properly.

>> No.1967957

>>1967953

Oh wow, I'd live there if they put some more wood to cover the sand/dirt.

>> No.1967959

>>1967953
Is that sand? With pillows on it? Why would you do that. Enjoy getting sand in all your shit.

>> No.1967960

>>1967939
I won't try to convince you, you obviously made up your mind already.
It also obvious that you don't know much about agriculture.
>negates the need for pesticides
this for example shows it

hydrophonics and greenhouses are a good idea and have their place, but not for the reasons you think

>> No.1967962
File: 85 KB, 500x608, prefabricated-geodesic-dome-house-living-room.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967962

>implying you don't want to live here

>> No.1967966
File: 20 KB, 625x469, domeinterior.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967966

>>1967957
>>1967955

I know, right? All the benefits of the outdoors and none of the drawbacks. If you were really nuts you might even do away with interior walls and furniture altogether. Just have a floor of soil and grass, a single tree in the center, with the toilet and sink off to one side, the kitchen along the wall on the other side and the entire dome rigged to "rain" artificially when you want to shower.

But yeah, no, the one I'm building will be a lot tamer. Nice and big but pretty traditional inside. I'm definitely adding a smaller dome greenhouse next to it for food though.

Pic related: What the interiors of these things usually look like when completed

>> No.1967969

>>1967960

>>hydrophonics and greenhouses are a good idea and have their place, but not for the reasons you think
>>hydrophonics
>>phonics

ಠ_ಠ

>> No.1967977
File: 36 KB, 537x290, domehousegreen.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967977

You can do all sorts of cool shit with these designs. Especially since you save a great deal building a geodesic structure rather than a traditional rectilinear one in the first place. Solar, urban farming, wind, whatever.

>> No.1967984
File: 256 KB, 500x394, badassdomehouse.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1967984

More dome houses....

>> No.1967996

So what are you building it for? Are you going to live in it?

If so, you are the coolest guy who ever cooled.

>> No.1968000

>>1967996

>>So what are you building it for? Are you going to live in it?

The dome house I'll be building is a home for my dad to retire in. He's over 60 and loves the idea but can't build it himself. I got into Buckminster Fuller a while back, we talked it over, I agreed to do the labor if he put up the cash, and here we are.

The smaller one I'm building for myself will just be a hydroponic greenhouse.

>> No.1968011

>>1968000
You are still the coolest guy who ever cooled, but cooler. Seriously, I cannot believe how awesome you are. Hampture, the robot, now this. Give the man a medal.

>> No.1968013

>>1968011
Wait this is the guy who made Hampture?
SIR I WISH TO SHAKE YOUR HAND.

>> No.1968018

Oh, thanks for the kind words. But you can flatter me when it's finished. This will be a pretty big job.

I'm still expanding Hampture btw, the tubes and extra enclosure are in the mail. Shame winter's coming, I'll need to wait for warmer weather to deploy the expanded habitat. >:|

>> No.1968021

>>1968013
We need to make a list of projects for aspiring mad scientists. We've come up with plenty of ideas, it's just few people are willing to do them, or everyone assumes someone else will. This guy is the only one who does such awesome stuff.

>> No.1968028

>>1968021
1. Breeding superspiders to prove evolution to rednecks.
2. Making sealed, sustainable terrariums.
3. Space balloon with camera.

Just ones I can remember. What else?

>> No.1968033
File: 62 KB, 640x480, beachdome.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968033

Seriously, this looks so good. Who wouldn't want to live hear? It's protected from rising water and domes are inherently resistant to rapid changes in air pressure and high windspeeds, which is why they consistently survive hurricanes even when all the surrounding houses didn't.

This is how homes should be, in general.

>> No.1968035

>>1968028
Starting our own country?

>> No.1968040

>>1968033
I'd love one. I'm not sure how easy it would be to get building consent for one here in NZ, though.

>> No.1968046

>>1968040

>> I'm not sure how easy it would be to get building consent for one here in NZ, though.

Actually because of their rigid structure they don't need a concrete foundation, which satisfies building code for a "temporary dwelling" even if you plan to live there longterm. It's a loophole domebuilders worldwide commonly exploit.

>> No.1968050
File: 96 KB, 550x413, desertdome.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968050

>>1968033

>>Who wouldn't want to live hear?
>>hear

Seriously, how the fuck did this happen. I need some sleep.

>> No.1968056

>>1968046
I'll give it a go sometime. I'm sure the council will complain, though.

>> No.1968063

>>1968028
Fuck super spiders. I want superintelligant giant crabs. They would be the coolest pet ever.

>> No.1968065

>>1968033
I wouldn't. Now if the outside was covered in plants so it looked like you live inside some sort of mini-forest, hell yeah.

>> No.1968069

>>1968063
You do it, then. Keep a blog on it like this guy does with his projects, and remember to keep a control group of crabs to compare the intelligence.

>> No.1968070

I just had the best idea ever.

Aerogel. Walls.

>> No.1968073

>>1968069
I want to but I can't do anything where I live at the moment. I'm in a city and the place I'm renting doesn't allow pets.
I'm hoping to save up and buy some land in the outback then I'll tell everyone to fuck off if they tell me I don't have permission to do something.

>> No.1968075
File: 40 KB, 500x345, greenroof.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968075

>>1968065

>>Now if the outside was covered in plants

Actually you can get triangular "green roof" sections for growing stuff in. They act as additional insulation too. But can you imagine trying to harvest?

Pic related, pretty tame green-roofed dome.

>> No.1968076

>>1968075
>But can you imagine trying to harvest?
I'd just want it for looks rather than harvesting.

>> No.1968079

>>1968070

>>Aerogel. Walls.

Wow. You're onto something. Lightweight, excellent insulation properties. What would the cost be like I wonder.

>> No.1968090
File: 31 KB, 400x224, houston-dome-const.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968090

Aw shit, it turns out aerogel costs way too much to be used for insulation. >:|

Pictured: Proposed massive dome over downtown Houston to prevent recurring cost of rebuilding after hurricanes

>> No.1968094

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ECS/aerogels/sa-making.html
http://www.aerogel.org/

>> No.1968095

>>1968090
Aww.

>> No.1968098

>>1968028
I thought of one today.
Why doesn't someone simulate the atmosphere of Venus 50km up and try to grow plants in it?

>> No.1968146

Permaculture might intrest you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7mQZHfFVE

Also something similar
http://simondale.net/house/index.htm

>> No.1968147
File: 25 KB, 342x246, 1283686881877.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968147

>It's raining outside
>Trying to sleep
>PATPATAPTAPTATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPATPAPTAPTAPTPATPAT

>> No.1968151

>>1968147

Dude the sound of rain HELPS me sleep.

>> No.1968163

>>1968151

Have you ever slept under a tight plastic tarp during rain?

>> No.1968168

>>1968163

Yeah a fair few times.

Rain is just white noise. White noise helps me get to sleep.

>> No.1968182

was reading about the carbon based and polymeric aerogels... I wonder if anyone has tried to make them on the large scale...

>> No.1968189

Geodesic domes made from/with aerogels seems like a decent alternative for the growing homeless population. Thoughts? I know where i live the transit population is quite large.

>> No.1968193

>>1968189
What's wrong with normal tents?

>> No.1968196

Aerogels for walls is fucking stupid.

Shit would blow down so quickly in a storm.

>> No.1968198

>>1968189

>>Geodesic domes made from/with aerogels seems like a decent alternative for the growing homeless population.

Except aerogel is very expensive. But yes, domes have been used as disaster relief shelters. Usually monolithic concrete domes as they are slightly higher cost but faster to 'raise'. They literally pour concrete over a big, tough balloon and wait for it to partially harden, then inflate the balloon to get the dome shape and let it finish hardening.

Quick way to make a strong shelter, but I find monolithic domes ugly, and of course you have to run wiring along the inside as there's no hollow space in the walls.

>> No.1968204

>>1968193
wet, cold, and unstable. Sometimes people just need somewhere to go to get on their feet, somewhere they can also feel safe.

>> No.1968206
File: 17 KB, 305x174, dometent.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968206

>>1968193

>>What's wrong with normal tents?

What about geodesic tents? Pic related.

>> No.1968213

>>1968198
what exactly is the expensive part? The materials used seem versitile with many alternatives. Is it the actual process of make the gels? Such as equipment?

>> No.1968221
File: 61 KB, 360x275, mongolia-2.jpg [View same] [iqdb] [saucenao] [google]
1968221

>>1968204
Learn to construct better tents. Like the monster tents built by the neanderthals, like the mongolia tents, but bigger. Humans have been building and living in tents for a couple million years.

>> No.1968241

>>1968079
what if the walls weren't made up completely of aerogel? what if the aerogel was just applied as a coating in the form of a thin film on the outside of the wall?

>> No.1968251

>>1968241

A chunk the size of a rubik's cube is about $200. It can't be sprayed, or liquified to my knowledge, I think it has to be cast...?

>> No.1968253

>>1968241
I don't think a thin film would be in effective insulator. I was reading about this for awhile and I can imagine ways to make it a few times cheaper. I wounder if it would be cheap enough for common usage though.

>> No.1968260

>>1968251
they have a grandular option http://www.buyaerogel.com/
I doubt it'll be as effective as a whole block though