geodesic dome
is a highly technical structure whereby a reinforced dome is created with intersecting lines. Although it is made from linear elements, it is ultimately a spherical structure created from a network of struts arranged around intersecting circles that lie on the surface of the sphere. Triangles are formed where the circles intersect and disperse the stress more evenly across the surface. This innovation is the sole man-made structure that can become stronger as it gets larger. Geodesic domes are mathematically complex, whereby a shape such as an icosahedron (a polyhedron with 20 faces, usually with equilateral triangles in each face) is used to measure out a pattern of triangles lying with minimal distortion on the surface of the sphere. The edges of the triangle are called geodesics. Although a variety of patterns can be used to create geodesic domes, the expense of creating a new pattern has standardized the dome into a few prevalent shapes. (Palmer, 2008)