If you want to understand different types of domes, it's important to first know what are domes. In various dictionaries, "dome" is typically defined as a building element, with other meanings related to its shape or structure. As a building element, a dome is mainly a hollow, almost hemispherical structure. Unlike traditional buildings that rely on beams and columns, a dome provides an open, column-free interior space. Its curved top not only creates an elegant and grand visual effect but also effectively distributes external pressure across the entire structure.
The Evolution of Domes
Domes have been used in architecture since ancient times, with early examples found in Greece, Rome, and China. In those days, domes were often used for practical purposes like small huts or tombs.
As building technology and industrialization advanced, domes began to be used in a variety of important buildings, including religious structures, legislative halls, and sports venues. They have become a key feature in modern architecture.
Throughout history, domes have proven to be versatile for both everyday and public uses. To meet various needs, dome designs have evolved and diversified. Today, domes are categorized based on their structural composition and shape.
Types of Domes by Structure
Today, domes can be categorized into four main types based on their structural design: geodesic domes, monolithic domes, inflatable domes, and corbel domes. In the following sections, we’ll take a closer look at each of these dome types.
Geodesic Dome
A geodesic dome is primarily made up of triangular frames. It is one of the best-known types of dome structures. This concept was first developed and popularized by American architect and engineer R. Buckminster Fuller in the 1940s. Its design is lightweight, strong, and easy to assemble and disassemble. Initially used for military radar stations, warehouses, and temporary hospitals, the geodesic dome has since become widely used in various civilian applications like event venues, greenhouses, and homes.
Application Scenario
Personal Residences: The geodesic dome’s unique design maximizes material strength and covers a larger space with less building material. Its professional construction minimizes resource waste and its spherical shape reduces heat loss while promoting natural airflow, which lowers energy consumption. These benefits make it a popular choice among eco-conscious individuals and those seeking affordable housing.
Event Venues: The triangular frame structure of a geodesic dome provides high strength, making it efficient at withstanding harsh weather conditions like strong winds and heavy snow. Its modular design also allows for quick and easy assembly and disassembly, making it ideal for temporary event spaces.
Luxury Camping Sites: The distinctive, surreal appearance of geodesic domes has become popular on social media, with many campers sharing their luxury camping experiences. It’s a favorite among those looking for a unique and comfortable camping experience.
Greenhouses: Geodesic domes with transparent exteriors allow maximum natural light to enter. The hollow triangular frame design helps provide even light distribution for plants. This makes geodesic domes a preferred choice for gardeners seeking a unique greenhouse experience.
Types of Geodesic Domes
Even though the geodesic dome is already a category of dome structure, it can be further divided. Based on the number of edges, geodesic domes can be classified into three types: tetrahedral geodesic domes, octahedral geodesic domes, and icosahedral geodesic domes. Here’s a look at the differences between these three types.
Different Types of Geodesic Domes | Tetrahedral Geodesic Dome | Octahedral Geodesic Dome | Icosahedral Geodesic Dome |
Structure | Four triangular faces | Eight triangular faces | Twenty triangular faces |
Complexity | Simple | Better symmetry | Complex |
Construction Difficulty | Easy | Middle | Difficult |
Monolithic Dome
A monolithic dome is a single, thin-shell dome structure. Its history dates back to the igloos used by Inuit people. The modern monolithic dome was introduced to the public by Lee C. Knell in 1963 as an ice rink. It was later converted into a grocery store in 1967. Today, monolithic domes are used in a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
Application Scenario
Personal Residences: Like geodesic domes, monolithic domes are excellent at reducing energy consumption. However, they differ in that their solid structure provides exceptional strength and stability, making them highly resistant to storms, earthquakes, and fires. FEMA considers them one of the most effective disaster-resistant building options, making them popular among homeowners in areas prone to natural disasters.
Industrial Structures: Thanks to their strength and durability, monolithic domes are widely used in industrial applications. They are commonly used for storing heavy industrial products like cement and fertilizers. Additionally, their robust structure makes them suitable for use as containment shells in nuclear power plants.
Inflatable Dome
An inflatable dome is a type of tent or building supported by air pressure, and it comes in two main types: double-layer and single-layer structures. The double-layer inflatable dome has two layers with fixed air trapped between them, creating an air cavity. The single-layer inflatable dome, also known as an air-supported dome, relies on continuous airflow to maintain its shape and keep the pressure difference between the inside and outside. The double-layer design was invented by John Scurlock in 1959, while the air-supported structure was created by Walter Bird in 1946.
Application Scenario
Temporary Event Spaces: Double-layer inflatable domes are lightweight and easy to set up quickly, making them ideal for temporary events like trade shows and wedding receptions.
Outdoor Camping: This type of double-layer dome is also great for short-term outdoor camping. Its unique design and easy setup make it popular among campers looking for a novel and convenient camping experience.
Sports Venues: Air-supported domes are commonly used for large, permanent or semi-permanent structures, such as sports arenas. Their low construction costs and flexibility make them an economical and efficient solution for sports facilities.
Corbel Dome
A corbel dome is a type of dome made by stacking stones or bricks in layers, with each layer slightly leaning inward until they meet at the top. This ancient building technique dates back to the Neolithic era. Today, corbel domes are less common in modern architecture, but you can still see them in historical sites like ancient tombs, temples, and other monumental buildings.
Types of Domes by Shape
When it comes to shape, domes can be classified into several main types: onion domes, hemispherical domes, cloister vaults, and oval domes. Let’s take a closer look at these four dome types.
Onion Dome
An onion dome is known for its vibrant and ornate colors, and its shape resembles an onion bulb. The structure tapers at the bottom, expands upward into a rounded middle, and then narrows to a point at the top. While the exact origins of the onion dome are unclear, it has been widely used in Russia since the 16th century.
Application Scenario
Symbolic Architecture: In Eastern Orthodox churches, the onion dome symbolizes the path to heaven. As a result, it is commonly used in churches and other religious buildings, especially in restoration and new construction projects.
Cold Climate Adaptation: The pointed top of the onion dome helps snow slide off quickly, making it particularly suited for cold, snowy regions. It not only adds decorative charm but also serves a practical function.
Hemispherical Dome
Hemispherical domes are perfect half-sphere shapes. They look symmetrical from any angle. These types of domes have a long history, with the first recorded example being the Pantheon in ancient Rome. With advancements in modern building techniques and materials, hemispherical domes are now used widely.
Application Scenario
The hemispherical dome's shape showcases architectural geometry and aesthetics. Over time, it has evolved into various types, like the geodesic dome, monolithic dome, and inflatable dome. These domes are used in a wide range of applications, including city landmarks, large functional buildings, private residences, and temporary structures.
Cloister Vault
A cloister vault is a dome structure with four curved surfaces that meet at a central point at the top. Unlike other domes, its horizontal cross-sections are square or polygonal, not perfectly round or curved. There is no exact historical record of the first cloister vault, but this design has been used since the Middle Ages in buildings like monastery cloisters and churches. Today, cloister vaults are mainly found in historic buildings and are also used in the restoration or reconstruction of medieval architecture.
Oval Dome
An oval dome, also known as an elliptical dome, is a dome shaped like a half-ellipse. The exact origins of the oval dome aren't clearly documented. However, it’s known that this design was used in some ancient Roman buildings during the period when architects were experimenting with non-circular dome shapes. Due to past limitations in building technology, oval domes weren’t widely used. Today, the concept has evolved into new designs like the geotangent structure.
Application Scenario
Landmark Buildings: The unique shape and complex construction of an oval dome make it a popular choice for city landmarks and major public buildings. Its distinctive appearance helps these structures stand out and become prominent features of the cityscape.
Outdoor Camping Structures: The unique shape of the oval dome also appeals to campers seeking a high-end and distinctive outdoor lodging experience. As a result, it’s often used in luxury camping setups, adding a unique touch to outdoor accommodations.
Conclusion
No matter what types of domes we’re talking about, they all play a key role in exploring architectural design and have inspired many innovative architects. If you're interested in dome design and construction, feel free to reach out to us anytime.
