How to Make an Origami Dome

Build geodesic domes with a variety of materials.

R. Buckminster Fuller invented the geodesic dome in the 20th century as a way to improve shelter construction. The Buckminster Fuller Institute indicates that Fuller created the dome because it provided a stronger and more efficient structure than more traditional buildings. Making an origami dome is one way that students, children and origami enthusiasts can have fun and learn about the physical and geometric principles that make geodesic domes work so well. Though this is not traditional origami, geodesic domes are still an easy folded-paper craft. If you can measure, fold and glue paper together, you can make a paper dome.

Things You'll Need

• 10 sheets of heavyweight paper
• Sharpened pencil
• Scissors
• Beam compass
• Small bottle of white glue
• Sheet of cardboard, 6-by-6 feet

Instructions

Preparing the Materials

1. Draw a triangle that measures 2 inches on all sides. You will need 40 copies of this triangle.

2. Draw a triangular panel that measures 8 inches on all sides. You will need 5 copies of this panel.

3. Cut out all of the triangles and panels. Leave at least one-half inch of paper surrounding each shape. The extra paper will act as glue tabs that will allow you to assemble the dome.

4. Label one of the vertexes on each triangle and panel with the letter “A.” A vertex is a point where two sides of the triangle meet. The location of the labeled vertex is not important.

5. Measure and draw three concentric circles on a 6-by-6 piece of cardboard using a beam compass. Draw the first circle with a diameter of 60 inches. Draw the second circle with a diameter of 40 inches inside of the first circle. Draw the third circle with a diameter of 20 inches inside the second circle.

6. Cut the 60-inch and 20-inch circles from the cardboard.

Making the Dome

1. Create the first row of the dome by gluing the tabs of the 2-inch triangles together. The triangles should alternate in position so that if vertex “A” points up on one triangle, it will point down on the triangle next to it.

2. Glue the first row of triangles to the cardboard using the 40-inch circle as a guide. Make sure that the glue between the tabs is completely dry before attempting this step. You will have to bend the paper to get the triangles on the first row to form a complete circle.

3. Position the triangular panels on a flat surface so that the vertexes labeled with the letter “A” come together at a single point. This will also make it so the sides of the panels come together at the top and separate farther down.

4. Glue the tabs at the top of the triangular panels together. Place the glue only where the panels come together. Do not put any glue at the bottoms of the tabs where the panels are not properly aligned.

5. Fold the triangular panels at 1 inch from the top. This will create a flat pentagon shape at the top of the dome. The panels should now be aligned at the bottom.

6. Glue the bottoms of the triangular panel tabs together. The panels should now form the shape of a dome. You may need to bend the paper slightly to create a more round shape.

7. Glue the bottoms of the triangular dome panels to the first row of the dome. You may need to turn the dome upside down to access the glue tabs.

Tips & Warnings

• There are different ways to build an origami dome. You may want to try making the dome with different sets of shapes or with different materials.

• Do not allow children to use sharp scissors without supervision.

References

• Hila Road: Build a Dome
• Buckminster Fuller Institute: Geodesic Domes
• Garden Dome: 4 Paper Model Plans -- Shortened Version