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How to Build a Geodesic Dome Model

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Build a Geodesic Dome Model, Step 8: Connect the Half-hexagons

Connect the Half-hexagons

Connect the Half-hexagons

Image © Trevor Blake
Finally, take the five half-hexagons and connect them to the outer edges of the hexagons.

Congratulations! You've built a geodesic dome! This dome is 5/8ths of a sphere (a ball), and is a three-frequency dome. The frequency of a dome is measured by how many edges there are from the center of one pentagon to the center of another pentagon. Increasing the frequency of a geodesic dome increases how spherical (ball-like) the dome is.

Now you can decorate your dome:

  • How would it look if it were a house?
  • How would it look if it were a factory?
  • How would it look under the ocean or on the moon?
  • Where would the doors go?
  • Where would the windows go?
If you would like to make this dome with struts instead of panels, use the same length ratios to make 30 A struts, 55 B struts, and 80 C struts.

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