CLIMATRON

CLIMATRON- MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN

PROFESSOR - PIETER SIJPKES YEAR - FALL 2016 IN COLLABORATION WITH - AMBER HU, JORRINA CHENG

Context

The etymology of the name Climatron denotes its purpose of controlling the climate. The structure of this geodesic dome is constituted of a double layer aluminum frame supported by rods under tension and tubes under compression . Moreover, it is enclosed with plexiglass in the original design. However, following the fire incident, the plexiglass was substituted with glass. Additionally, the interlocking triangle design provides further rigidity and distributes the weight throughout the dome. The absence of interior support and columns from floor to ceiling is made possible thanks to the principles of Buckminster Fuller. Finally, the weight is then carried to the ground on five piers.

Location: Saint Louis, Missouri, USA Completion date : 1959, 1990 (renovation) Purpose : Greenhouse Architects : Murphy and Mackey Dimensions : 42m diameter, 21m high

Model scale: 1:250 Model Materials: Steel, plastic glass, craft sticks, chipboard, aluminum wire, circuit

Model

Within the framework of the course ARCH 241, the following model was designed as a representation of the structure of the Climatron. The reduction of the geometric figures allowed for leaving enough space for detail-presenting. In fact, the structure is based on the template of a geodesic dome (collage of the right). Individual steel rods were bent into hexagonal shapes, then welded together to achieve the inner and outer layers of the geodesic dome. The thin coat of silver color spray added on top of the steel structure emulates the tint of the aluminum used originally in the Climatron. Simulating a thin-shell structure, the inner layer of the model is the one containing the plastic glass pieces. Furthermore, the weight of the model sits on five wooden piers attached to a perforated base which allows the passage of the built-in lighting. The details of the model include the addition of aluminum rods and rings and an internal circuit laying inside the base of the model, provide increased accuracy from the original design.