Preparing Dome - Final Design Checklist

EricMagic · Post by **EricMagic** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 10:08 pm

Looking for good fabric for dome of about 12' radius, 24' diameter.
Anyone have some spare covering or fabric that looks and feels good?
Any good sources and suggestions of where to get fabric?
Where might be the best place to buy some good dome covering and fabric?

My frame is in pretty good shape, but some annoying little questions pop in my head.
What is the best way to secure a dome if one has to leave it with no-one there? What are some good tips in keeping things secure in the dome/camp, so people don't walk off with your favorite stuff?

Any good design advice on the doors or keeping things cool in the dome?

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 5:46 am

I have considered adding a net of rope to my structure, to create openings too small for someone to just duck in and waddle out with my treasures....If your dome is of "default size", a 2V (about) 20', maybe knotting rope to the middle of each strut in the two lower tiers, connecting at an imaginary centerpoint in each triangle. Repeat all around, and use a cable lock at your designated doorway(s). I don't think you'll have to get super paranoid with this idea, but rather create a barrier to Crimes Of Opportunity. If someone has to stumble around and case your dome instead of just strolling in, it will likely prevent a casual theft. If you're gone for the Burn or a long deep-Playa walk or something, don't invite trouble by leaving valuables in plain sight. Stick the good stuff in your car. If you leave a picnic basket out for long enough, the Playa Bears WILL liberate its contents. Last year I brought a big steel ammo box with a hasp and padlock, on a length of chain that I could secure to the dome or car axle....Ended up not using it! It was easier to keep the goods either on our persons or in the ride.

As far as doors go, it depends on how your structure will be utilized- As you know, moving ONE strut of a geodesic creates a loss of integrity. This MAY be acceptable if you aren't climbing on it, and have designed your coverings well. I've experimented with lengthening some struts and shortening others to widen the doorway, and had reasonable success but recommend you unbolt a couple of vertices and find what you feel comfortable with.....Look in the old threads for LOTS of covering ideas, too.

Angel Ben · Post by **Angel Ben** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 6:42 am

The cheapest covering I've been able to figure out, which is what I'll be attempting this year, is a combination of parachute and 3 tarps. I got the parachute from an army surplus store for $20 (it failed inspection). The tarps I already have, but I guess are $5-10 each. My only question is whether or not to put the tarps under the 'chute (easier to secure, but more wind resistance) or over it (uglier, but might repel water a little better).

As for doors, see here:
http://dome.zillabit.com/geometry.html

sgrunspa · Post by **sgrunspa** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:14 am

parachutes are the easiest to use for covering, but as far as securing goes, I don't think it is really possible.

some people lock their most valubles in their car, but if its any comfort, I had a camp on the esplanade that had people wandering in and out 24 hours a day and nothing disappeared.

Smudge · Post by **Smudge** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:21 am

Wow, the spirit of Burningman has really changed. Either that or you have forgotten what it's like to be on the playa. I locked my "valuables" in my car and worried only slightly about what I had in my tent, but trying to make a fence for your circle on the playa seems slightly paranoid or out of sinc with the GIFT ECONOMY we create in Black Rock City that is more of an achievement in humanity than in group economics. Take into account your carma, the spirit of burningman which I agree has become more mainstream and surrender to the flow of the playa. Bring things to give and leave things you worry about getting stolen at home.

Burp! · Post by **Burp!** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 10:52 am

We have pretty much the same dome, last year we got Balloon top. You can get them at a baloon repair shop for next to nothing. Downside is they smell. Balloons have a chemical applied I believe for heat resisting reasons. Anyway that chemical smells like vomit. Ok stay with me it gets better... When balled up it smells, when open not so much, when open and off the ground, can't smell it at all. Guy said when we got it that "You won't smell it once it's open!", he was right.

As too dome security, depends on your domes function. Ours is set to be a chill space, open 24hrs. Comphy and inviting.That being said, we try no not leave something in dome that we can't live without.

However, the more covered up and dark it is the better, sorta puts it in the universal "please stay out" mode. The less inviting the ore less likely someone is going to walk in.

NF

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 11:34 am

Smudge wrote:Wow, the spirit of Burningman has really changed. Either that or you have forgotten what it's like to be on the playa. I locked my "valuables" in my car and worried only slightly about what I had in my tent, but trying to make a fence for your circle on the playa seems slightly paranoid or out of sinc with the GIFT ECONOMY we create in Black Rock City that is more of an achievement in humanity than in group economics. Take into account your carma, the spirit of burningman which I agree has become more mainstream and surrender to the flow of the playa. Bring things to give and leave things you worry about getting stolen at home.

I agree that creating an Armed Perimeter is an extreme measure, and out of character with THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION OF THE SPIRIT of Burning Man. However, it IS necessary to adjust for human nature. It's foolish to bring extra treasures to the Playa just so you can stress over them, but frankly, even having someone skulk into my camp and raid my cooler is UNPARDONABLE to me, unless they're dying of thirst. Actually, it'd STILL irk my ire even if they WERE. Civilization is a covenant of adopted behaviors that doesn't always exactly follow our nature and primary impulses, and requires attention regardless of whether you're in Black Rock City or (shudder) Detroit. (Sorry, Detroit regionals!)Whenever you think about Utopian Ideals, it's important to remember what "Utopia" actually MEANS......

Angel Ben · Post by **Angel Ben** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:52 pm

Heh, when I said "easier to secure" I actually meant it as in "keep from blowing away." The whole concept of worrying about having stuff stolen is silly to me, but then again I don't worry about it much the other 51 weeks of the year, either. Theft happens, but it's less common than it seems. The effort you spend worrying about it is probably greater than the effort you'd spend replacing stolen items.

I had my bike stolen in 2002, and discovered that I actually prefer to be on foot. Your gear is a lot more likely to get destroyed than stolen, anyways, so just don't bring it if you care.

Burp! · Post by **Burp!** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 1:49 pm

We use rebar bent like a cnady cane. As many as you can put at ach verticies. If the wind is like 2000, you'll want a boat load nailing that thing down. I was amazed at how much lift happened during the big storm of 2000.

gizray · Post by **gizray** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:11 pm

this isn't exactly a dome covering tip, but......

rather than using regular nuts to secure your bolts, try using wing nuts. way, way easier than trying to wrench all those nuts onto bolts.

trust me on this one..........

dingo · Post by **dingo** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 2:22 pm

I've used chutes in the past, but they don't block out the sun at all, hence tarps end up being used. Sorta ugly though, but works. You need the bottom open a bit to let air flow through during the day. This year is supposed to dusty, so remember that in your design.

Preparing Dome - Final Design Checklist

Preparing Dome - Final Design Checklist

not really possible

Secure Domes