How to Make a Paper Geodesic Dome

Building a geodesic dome out of paper is a lesson in art and geometry. You can make a geodesic dome by using two different types of triangles: equilateral and isosceles. An equilateral triangle has three sides of equal length, and all three angles are the same. An isosceles triangle has the same length on two sides, and only the angles that make up the left and right sides of the base are the same.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue
• Cardboard
• Compass

Instructions

Make the Triangles and Base

1. Measure and draw an equilateral triangle with all three sides 15.45 cm in length. Draw lines parallel to each side, 1 cm away from the triangle. These will be the glue tabs. Cut out this triangle and trace around it to make and cut out nine more.

2. Measure and draw an isosceles triangle with a bottom side measuring 15.45 cm in length and the two sides measuring 13.66 cm in length. As before, draw parallel lines to indicate the glue tabs, 1 cm from the triangle. Cut this triangle out and trace around it to make and cut out 29 more.

3. Fold the tabs around each triangle. Make sure to use a sharp bend.

4. Draw a 75-cm-diameter circle on cardboard, using the compass. In the center, measure out a 50-cm-diameter circle.

5. Cut out a 25-cm-diameter circle in the center of the base.

Assembling the Dome Base

1. Glue the tabs of five isosceles triangles together to make a pentagon (five-sided shape). The triangles will not lie flat when you do this. The center will be raised.

2. Glue together five more pentagons made from the isosceles triangles. Allow the pentagons to dry.

3. Attach two pentagons together by gluing an equilateral triangle to the bottom left side of one pentagon and the lower right side of another pentagon

4. Apply glue to the tabs along the bottom of the piece you made in Step 3 and set on the edge of the 50-cm circle you measured on the cardboard base.

5. Glue down alternating equilateral triangles and pentagons around the perimeter of the base. Hold the structure in place until it is dry.

Finishing the Dome

1. Glue five equilateral triangles to fill in between the tops of the pentagons you set around the perimeter of the base.

2. Hold the triangles in place until the glue is dry. You may have to reach through the open hole at the top of the dome or the 25-cm hole in the bottom of the cardboard base.

3. Apply glue to the tabs of the last pentagon and attach it to the top to fill in the dome. Allow to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• In order to identify the different pieces easily, you can use different colored paper for the isosceles and equilateral triangles.

References

• Hilaroad.com: Build a Dome