This dome was designed using techniques pioneered by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), particularly those explored in his Church of Colònia Güell. The dome was constructed upside down to allow gravity to shape its form. Its peaks and recesses were formed by pinching and pulling the fabric using strings and counterweights. Once the desired geometry was achieved, the fabric formwork was rigidized with a polyurethane coating, and a smooth concrete mix was applied by hand. After curing, the fabric was removed, and the dome was carefully flipped to its final orientation. The resulting catenary-driven geometry improved resistance during structural crush testing.

SIDE VIEW OF THE DOME

THE DOME COLLAPSING AT ITS CRUSH TEST

TOP VIEW OF DOME

DIAGRAM OF THE RIG USED TO PULL THE FABRIC INTO SHAPE. WEIGHTS WERE SUSPENDED ON ALL SIDES TO EVENLY PULL ON FABRIC.

THE DOME COLLAPSING AT 1600 LBS OF PRESSURE