The R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Not-For-Profit

Restore, Maintain and Promote Fuller's Carbondale Dome Home

Buckys Birthday Block Party July 12

Bucky's Birthday Block Party was an beautiful and amazing day!

We estimate at least 500 pople showed up and the weather cooperated beautifully. A huge thank you to the crew who helped turn the Bucky's Birthday Block Party into something unforgettable. When a rainbow clown shows up unplanned, when bubbles take over the street, when Bucky makes more than one appearance, you know it's a party and you did something right.

So much love to this team for showing up with creativity, heart, and bubble guns.

Sign up for our Newsletter for more upcoming event announcemnts!

The Fuller Dome Home Restoration Project

Honoring his legacy, inspiring our future

Visitor's Center built with 3D printed panels alongside Buckminster Fuller's Dome Home

 

Architectural rendering courtesy of Mighty Buildings

Rendering of Fuller Dome New Visitor's Center

To do more and more with less and less until eventually you can do everything with nothing.

R. Buckminster Fuller

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

Phase One

Restoration of Dome Exterior | Completed

BFA_portal-3
Exterior Before
BFA_portal_4
Exterior After
 

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.

Schedule Your Tour!

Phase Two

Restoration of Dome Interior | Completed

Living_woodcut
After Renovations
before_living-woodccut
Before Renovations
 

Restored Interior of Anne and Bucky's Dome


Fuller's Legacy

Buckminster Fuller being interviewed by CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite for a CBS network series "The 21st Century." The interview took place inside Fuller's dome house in Carbondale, October 18, 1966.

A Global Legend

R. Buckminster Fuller was one of the most significant, influential visionaries of the 20th century, and his legacy is vital for today and for future generations.

About Bucky

Dome Home

Buckys Carbondale Dome Home

In April 1960 Buckminster Fuller assembled his geodesic dome home in Carbondale, living in it with his wife Anne until 1971. During that time, Bucky was a professor at Southern Illinois University for 12 years.

Carbondale Dome Home

The Dome in Carbondale was the only Dome in which Bucky and Anne lived during their lifetime and is a National Treasure being saved by RBF Dome NFP.

The Dome Home

RBF Dome NFP

Dome restoration Holland Prize

Library of Congress/Thad Heckman

The Preservation Project

The preservation of Buckminster Fuller's Carbondale Dome Home has merited several high honors, including the prestigious "Holland Prize."

Watch our progress!

"We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.."

R. Buckminster Fuller

Your financial support is needed to secure our success.

Press Release

Carbondale’s Barnes and Noble Bookstore (1300 East Main Street) welcomes Buckminster Fuller Dome Home authors Cary O’Dell and Thad Heckman on Saturday, August 14, 2021 for an inaugural book signing.

O’Dell and Heckman will be signing and selling copies of their book “Bucky’s Dome: The Resurrection of R. Buckminster Fuller’s Dome Home” starting at 12 noon.

ALL author proceeds from the book will be donated to the RBF Dome NFP for the further restoration and preservation of the Carbondale’s Buckminster Fuller Dome Home located at 407 South Forest Avenue in Carbondale.

Built in one day in 1960, Carbondale’s “Bucky Dome” is the only dome that SIU Professor and architectural visionary Buckminster Fuller ever lived in for over a decade, and it is the only home he ever owned.

Along with the Barnes Noble book signing, the Dome will also be OPEN FOR TOURS throughout the day on August 14, 2021. After getting your book, drive over to the Dome itself, at 407 S. Forest, for an up-close look.

When visiting the Dome,the CDC's latest recommendations will be followed. It is requested that all visitors wear a protective mask while visiting the Dome Home.