The R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Not-For-Profit
An Organization to Restore, Maintain and Promote Fuller's Carbondale Dome Home
The RBF Dome Mission
Our mission is to preserve the original dome home and legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. To develop and operate a “home museum” within the Carbondale, Illinois Dome Home and chronicle the years during which Buckminster Fuller and his wife Anne lived there. To utilize the Fuller Dome Home Museum as an educational tool to help fulfill Fuller’s vision -
“to make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.”
From Dome to Destination: Fuller Dome Home Campaign to Complete Visitor Center
Sixty-five years ago this month, Buckminster Fuller built the only dome he ever lived in - a geodesic dome in Carbondale, Illinois. It wasn’t just a home. It was an experiment in sustainable living. A global symbol of design innovation. A challenge to build a world that works for “100% of humanity".
Today, the Dome stands restored, and now we’re launching the final phase of our vision: completing the Visitor Center.
With your support, we can:
- Prepare the grounds for further construction
- Complete the build-out of the Visitor Center interior
- Finalize payment for the newly installed doors and windows
Our first goal is $35,000—with a stretch goal of $65,000 to mark 65 years since the Dome’s construction.
Help us bring this vision to life. Your donation today helps create a global destination for innovation and inspiration.
Visitor's Center built with 3D printed panels alongside Buckminster Fuller's Dome Home
Architectural rendering courtesy of Mighty Buildings
“To do more and more with less and less until eventually you can do everything with nothing.”
Sustainable climate friendly building practice;
3-D printing
Restoration of the home is mostly DONE! We are very excited to now be moving ahead with the Visitor’s Center. We have recently realized the unusual opportunity to construct this center using the very latest in sustainable 3D Printed Panel technology.
The 3D company with which we are working, Mighty Buildings, is eager to showcase their product adjacent to the home of the grandfather of sustainability, our own R. Buckminster Fuller’s Dome Home right here in Carbondale. Mighty Buildings is offering their services at a considerable discount to us. This will be one of only three 3-D printed buildings in the Midwest!
With 3-D Printing Technology, there is 99% less waste generated, and more tensile and flexural strength vs. concrete.* Mighty Building uses 60% Recycled printing materials. This innovative, creative, and sustainable method of building blends with Bucky’s philosophy.
In the News!
"Mighty Buildings to 3D Print Visitors Center alongside Buckminster Fuller's Dome Home"
3D Print.com
"A visitor center clad in 3D-printed panels is planned for the site of Buckminster Fuller's self designed geodesic dome home in Illinois"
The Architect's Newspaper
"Bucky Dome Visitor Center to be constructed of 3D printed panels"
St. Louis Post Dispatch
The Southern Illinoisan
"Bucky Fuller Dome Home to Get 3D Printed Visitor's Center"
WSIL-TV 3
Visitor's Center Continuing Construction
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Windows going up at the Visitor's Center.
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Caulking new windows on a sunny day.
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Crew working inside structure.
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Steel doors placed at Visitor's Center entrance
Phase One
Restoration of Dome Exterior | Completed
Tour the Dome!
The newly restored geodesic home of Bucky and Anne Fuller is now open for tours. Immerse yourself in the same surroundings where Fuller lived while completing several books during his time at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
Phase Two
Restoration of Dome Interior | Completed
