The People’s Meeting Dome
This structural analysis of an atypical geodesic dome takes on the form of a 1: 1/2” scale model. The People’s Meeting Dome designed by Tejlgaard + Jepsen creates an argument for a deconstructed dome that generates architecturally compelling spaces. The breaks in the dome allow for the site to penetrate the project. Niches are oriented to the entrances of the site and program can develop from the form. The People’s Meeting Dome is composed of 7 distinct geodesic domes that join together by lateral bracing. The model construction took on four distinct phases: base construction, joint manufacturing, assembly, and tensioning the cables. Project was in collaboration with Jackie Haynes.
The four phases of constructing the model. The base showcased the internal beam system under the floor boards which was weighed down by massive steel plates to keep the lightweight structure from lifting in the wind. Next each of the five different joint types were soldiered together out of cut brass strips and then chemically treated for weather resistance. A custom jig was made to create the three dimensional curvature associated with each of the joints that were so critical in angling the boards properly to form geodesic domes. Then the actual erection of the domes took place fitting the boards between all of the custom joints. Finally the metal tension cables went in for each of the lateral braces at the flat edges of the sliced domes to offset the compression forces from the dome.
Seven distinct domes
Above: load paths, Below: Vertices connecting domes