EKODOME is a new geodesic dome frame design that allows you to build better and sustainable spaces. With our patent-pending aluminum profiles, you can easily build multipurpose spaces and cover the dome frame with any solid panel or membranes.

Easy to install, affordable, lightweight, durable, and recyclable.

Ekodome is a  DIY dome building kit providing frames only. We want our designs to make it easier for everyone to cover their dome frames with preferred material and create great spaces. We guide and support our backers with extension kits, accessories, and must-have frame elements on this journey. We are also working closely with third party providers for those who want to have all needed in hand to build better spaces. 

The Problem

Covering the geodesic dome frames built with flat surface struts is a challenge for dome builders. The drawback is the irregular angles of the interconnecting surfaces. Without manipulating the surface angles of the struts, placing solid panels precisely on them is not possible due to the geodesic dome’s mathematics. Many designers and companies have overcome this problem with particular joints or individual frame elements in the past. However, we found that many of the past designs had other issues. We bring a new solution.

The Solution: Extruding aluminum T profiles with dual angles.  

The new design will enable a precise triangular bed for the panels, a 90-degree screwing ability, and two 180-degree flatbeds for a strong connection with the hubs. We want to create a great experience for all with this new frame design.

Our struts design evolved during the prototyping phase. Working with standard aluminum T profiles was not easy. Bending them to required angles without breaking, drilling them without pivot holes of a mold, took so much effort, but the result was promising. We moved the designs to the next phase: Extruding aluminum T profiles with dual angles. 

For 1V Dome Frame

• 25 x Aluminum struts 
• 11 x Hubs 
• 25 x Rubber seals
• 110 x Bolts
• 1 x Instructions manual*

For 2Vs and 2V Dome Frame

• 65 x Aluminum struts + for add-ons if backed 
• 26 x Hubs 
• 65 x Rubber seals
• 300 x Bolts 
• 1 x Instructions manual*

For 3V Dome Frame

• 165 x Aluminum struts + for add-ons if backed 
• 61 x Hubs 
• 165 x Rubber seals
• 720 x Bolts 
• 1 x Instructions manual*

*Digital copies of triangular patterns, cad files, and installation videos will be included.

 OUR PARTNERS

We have partnered with Coexist to provide you with environmentally friendly insulation material. Hemp Blanket is an ideal material to be used for the ceiling, wall, and floor insulation. Both as an add on and post-campaign options will soon be available.

We’ve partnered up with @orangescrew, another Kickstarter creator for portable ground anchors. Our newly designed aluminum anchor hub enables you to secure your smaller size domes on any foundation using both regular screws as well as Orange Screws.

From the creator

“I am Sinan Halic, founder of EKODOME. I have been building domes for more than 10 years now. It is like meditation for me. Inside a small dome, I feel that cozy space like I was in my mom’s womb.  After bending and bolting 165 steel struts, I could not use my right hand for a week, but when I entered my 48ft diameter geodesic dome tent, it felt home. Whenever I visit a massive dome venue, I think of the earth. Believe it or not, I would love to see every person on this planet build a dome, whether it is made of paper or scrap.

Before we remembered it again in the 20th century, humankind built dome spaces throughout history, perhaps not only because we found them safe and sturdy, but also we have not seen cornered areas in mother nature that often. Caves, tumulus, bush shelters, and tents were followed by the monumental temples, exhibit spaces, and scientific landmark buildings. We not only wanted a roof over our heads but recover from the flatness of the ceiling whenever we can.”

The Team

As the Ekodome team, we are passionate about geodesic domes. 

Led by an awarded entrepreneur, we have dedicated design team members with diverse backgrounds in industrial design, art direction, videography, social media, and more.

We were no different than you. We loved geodesic domes and wanted to build one. 

The models we made as a hobby pioneered the design and building of real-sized dome tents. We have built geodesic dome tents and canopy domes using wooden struts, galvanized steel, PVC, and aluminum. Some were larger than 48 feet.

We started searching for alternative techniques rather than membranes to give the geodesic-domes a waterproof feature in this period. As a result of our market researches, we could not find any do-it-yourself geodesic frame kits on which solid panels would fit perfectly and quickly mounted.

Our Motivation 

Most of the dome frame kits on the market are either expensive solutions and require professional support for assembly or made of tubular elements suitable for membrane covers.

We want EKODOME to fill this market gap by offering the optimum value with its unique features, such as its effortless installation and flexibility to cover with any materials.

We want everyone to afford a geodesic dome frame with a relatively higher weight to strength ratio that can be covered with solid panels. That’s why we wanted to design, manufacture, and introduce a do-it-yourself type of geodesic frame kit. 

We aimed for the optimum one and designed EKODOME frames for the best experience until version 2. For us, for all!

A few months ago, we were ready to instantly manufacture and deliver the dome frames with bent aluminum T-profiles that we used to build our prototype. During the pre-launch period, we received huge interest from social media and related communities, many thanks to all supporters. We changed our plans to manufacture an upgraded version of our aluminum profiles and deliver the rewards at their best.

To keep our promise of being affordable, we need the required number of backers so that both the molding and the aluminum strut manufacturing cost will be at its lowest. In any case, we need special molds for 9 strut versions in different angles and/or thicknesses, molds for 5 primary hubs, and an additional 3-4 for the extension kits. Extrusion molds for the rubber seal and rivet nuts are also required.

A geodesic dome is a hemispherical form in which triangular or polygonal surfaces formed by planes or frame elements are in large-scale tension and distribute the structure’s stresses. 

In 1926 German engineer Walther Bauersfeld (Jan­u­ary 23, 1879 – Oc­to­ber 28, 1959) built the first one as a planetarium. In the 1940s, the geodesic dome was developed and named by American engineer and architect R. Buckminster Fuller (July 12, 1895 – July 1, 1983) to quickly form a sturdy lightweight construction be placed directly on the ground.

EKODOME partnered up with Buckminster Fuller Institute in their efforts to create an impact. Ekodome will be contributing to BFI’s Regenerosity organizations that are already radically advancing human well-being and the health of our planet’s ecosystems.

EKODOME believes in social impact by contribution, cooperation, and donation. 

This truly matches some of Kickstarter’s values. Some of you would remember our surveys. We asked for your choice for the launching platform. Results for a total of 580 responses are as follows:

3.2% – I would like to see the product on the market and pay in full.

43.6% – Pre-order from the website is an option for me

53.2% – Please proceed with the launch on Kickstarter

We listened to you, and we believe in the leverage of this community,

Credits and attributions

• Photo of Buckminster Fuller: https://www.bfi.org/about-fuller/biography 
• Construction of the Zeiss-Planetarium Jena (Germany), 1923 Copyright: Zeiss-Planetarium Jena – https://www.planetarium-jena.de/ueber-uns/geschichte/ 
• Prototype music: Find Your Way Beat – Nana Kwabena
• Kickstarter campaign video music: Trimmed & Taught – Dan Lebowitz

You can also contact and collaborate with these people with peace of mind.

•  Aras Bilkin is an art director and videographer. He helped a lot with our Kickstarter video.  
•  Fatih Yuksek is an industrial designer of our team but also a freelancer.