Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Cutting the Triangles
Measure out an equilateral triangle 61 inches to a side. Cut the triangle out of the cardboard using a box knife. Trim the edges of the sheet to create a stencil that is convenient to handle. This will serve as a template for cutting out the triangles that will make up the dome.
Cut a second template for an isosceles triangle. The base of the triangle should be 61 inches across, while the other two sides should be 53 inches long.
Use the template and a pencil to draw a triangle on a sheet of cardboard. Use a straightedge to draw a rectangular flap 1 inch wide along each side of the triangle. Cut the triangle out using a box knife. The flaps and the triangle should be cut out as a single piece. Cut out 10 equilateral triangles and 30 isosceles triangles.
Score each flap between the points of the triangle by drawing a heavy line with a ballpoint pen connecting the two points. This will allow the flaps to bend more easily.
Paint one side of each triangle white using flat white oil-based paint. Do not use water-based paint, as it will soak into the cardboard and cause the triangles to warp. Allow the paint to dry fully before proceeding.
Assembling the Dome
Form a pentagon using five isosceles triangles, clamping the flaps of each triangle together using four binder clips per side. The long edge of each triangle should form the outer perimeter of the pentagon. There will be a gap between the first and last triangles when you are finished. Fold the pentagon into a shallow bowl shape until you can bring the last two flaps together and clip them into place. The clips should be on the outside of the bowl, while the painted surface should form the inside of the bowl. Repeat this procedure until you have six pentagons assembled.
Set five of the pentagons upright on one edge and form them into a circle on the ground. Insert an equilateral triangle into the lower gap between each pair of pentagons and clip them into place. The bottom edge of all the triangles should be flush with the floor at this point, making an unbroken perimeter.
Insert an equilateral triangle into the upper gap between each pair of pentagons and clip them into place, leaving a pentagon-shaped hole at the top of the dome.
Place the final pentagon into the hole at the top of the dome and clip it into place. You should now have a complete geodesic dome 15 feet across.
Creating the Base
Cut out 10 rectangular sheets of corrugated cardboard. The rectangles should be 61 inches wide and about three feet long. They can be made longer or shorter depending on how high you want your dome to be raised off the floor. Both long sides and one short side of each rectangle should include 1-inch flaps along their entire length.
Clip the rectangles together into a ring. The short edge with the flap should form the top of each rectangle.
Lift the dome on top of the ring of panels. Clip together the top flaps of the rectangles and the bottom flaps of the triangles to secure the dome to the base.
Cut a rectangular hole in one of the base panels to act as a door. Cover the hole with a sheet of cardboard slightly larger than the hole and duct tape one edge of the sheet securely in place. Attach a cabinet handle to the inside and outside of the sheet so you can pull the door open and closed.