buckminster fuller's fly's eye dome recreated in miami design district

buckminster fuller’s fly’s eye dome recreated in miami design district
image © designboom

not one, but three of buckminster fuller’s ‘fly’s eye’ domes have been unveiled in the miami design district during art basel miami beach. the first is a 1980s prototype designed by ‘bucky’ in collaboration with john warren as is shown under the roof canopy of the pérez art museum, while the second is a sculptural development in the luxury shopping complex of miami design district.

the third dome, which forms the centerpiece of the development’s palm court, was first introduced to the city of miami at the 2011 design miami exhibition called ‘architecting the future.’ the structure is a faithful re-creation of the original prototype, created by goetz composites in collaboration with the buckminster fuller institute, (BFI). all three domes, are owned by dacra‘s president and CEO craig robins and while identical, represent different visions of the future.

a recreation of buckminster fuller’s 24-foot fly’s eye dome – sited in palm court
image © designboom

having acquired the dome in 2011, robins commissioned BFI to produce a fly’s eye dome utilizing state-of-the-art materials and techniques. firstly, work began on analyzing the original 24-foot prototype – its materials, joining systems, and in particular the lower truncation panels in order to improve the overall structural integrity.

the analyses lead to design modifications that dramatically increased the strength and wind load performance of the dome. in addition, a new system of retaining rings has been used to hold the acrylic lenses in place, sealing the dome from water penetration.

the dome features high-impact polycarbonate lenses
image © designboom

interestingly, the dome possesses the same geometry as a carbon molecule that wasn’t even discovered until 1985, two years after fuller’s death. consequently, the molecule was named the ‘fullerene’ in honor of the neo-futuristic architect.

‘buckminster fuller invented the dome as a ‘machine for living’ – he intended it to be used,’ declares giovanni medina marenco, senior designer on the project. ‘by placing it prominently in the plaza and using it to connect– via a grand circular stairway clad in white marble – to the parking below, we invite people to come in and enjoy the space that buckminster fuller created.’

the dome has been placed off-axis on a plinth in the middle of a small reflecting pool
image © designboom

the dome sits outside of sou fujimoto’s recently completed structure
image © designboom

stairs connect the plaza to a parking lot below
image by lala periera

a new system of retaining rings has been used to hold the acrylic lenses in place
image courtesy of miami design district

the dome being installed within the public square
image courtesy of goetz composites

construction images detail the project’s assembly
image by ian garber photography / courtesy of goetz composites

the structure is pieced together using composite parts
image by ian garber photography / courtesy of goetz composites

image by ian garber photography / courtesy of goetz composites