Geodesic domes were first popularized by R. Buckminster Fuller in the mid-twentieth century, but the extremely strong and stable structures have since been developed into sustainable, wind-resistant models. Oregon Dome produces wind and hurricane resistant geodesic dome kits in thousands of plans, sizes, and shapes. Each can easily be built by the customers themselves, no special equipment necessary.

German engineer Walter Bauersfeld can take credit for erecting the first geodesic dome in 1926, a replica of the night sky that glowed with nearly 5,000 stars. But Fuller’s work popularizing these hyper-efficient structures led to their mass adaptation around the world—more than 300,000 exist at last count. During a teaching stint at Black Mountain College from 1948-1949, Fuller refined synergetic geometry and the dome concept, utilizing a spherical arrangement of triangles to cover more space with less material. Bucky was soon creating domes for the U.S. military (covering, among other things, radar station in the Arctic Circle) and the Ford Motor Company, and popularizing the concept with worldwide audiences at the 1954 Milan Triennale.

Fuller inside his Geodesic Dome in 1949.

Utility equipment and storage is hidden in the hexagonal "systems ring" below the living space modules.

Designed by ZJJZ Atelier, the shingle-clad pods—known as The Seeds—provide an off-grid retreat in a lush area in Jiangxi, China.

Thoughtful furnishings provide luxury in the middle of nature.

Kanye West's domed prefab designs are influenced by Star Wars filming locations in southern Tunisia.

Keeping it DIY, a greenhouse, a winter garden, a pop-up shop, a seasonal cafe, a sports facility or an outdoor classroom? Whatever your needs may be, F.Domes delivers. Their self-assembly kits provide a fabulous environment for every use. Thanks to their quick and easy assembly, F.Domes are a popular choice among those looking for basic, yet rigid and beautiful outdoor structure.

Playa Moon Dome of Camp Do More Now

George Lucas filmed part of Star Wars in Tunisia.

The Loaf Shelter made of 850 loaves of bread

Pink Heart Camp

Aluminet fabric over PVC pipes

SPACE is the second, smaller offering from Bratislava-based Ecocapsule.

To support the dome, Tubbs and engineers Freeman, Fox & Partners buttressed the 93-foot-high structure with 48 steel masts. Photo courtesy CHELSEA Space.

Inspired by the principle of Biomimicry, Free Spirit Spheres’ goal is to “create new ways of living that are well-adapted to life on earth over the long haul.” Based outside of Vancouver, the company specializes in tiny spherical tree houses that are works of art. You can even book an escape to spend the night in one at their forest hotels!

Smaller bubbles come with a round bed that sleeps two, while the larger units have a double bed. Guests share a wood-clad outbuilding that holds the restroom, showers, and kitchen. Adventurers can also book the Golden Circle Tour through Buubble, exploring Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir hot springs, Gullfoss waterfall, and the Secret Lagoon before spending a night at the hotel.

A photovoltaic panel is installed above the outdoor deck.

Writer Rob Colvin was one of the first reporters to experience living (temporarily, at least) in a Flock House. This one was built onsite in Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan.

Metal Pods by Scott Parenteau

Yunity Park - Nighttime Exterior

Sited in a small forest clearing near the Kattegat seashore in Denmark, Vibo Tværveh is a contemporary take on traditional Danish cabin and barn architecture. The tube-shaped structure is cladded in pine and topped with rolled steel plates.

The two-level home sits nestled among thick vegetation, offering a private city oasis.

Designed and built by Oakland–based O2 Treehouse, the Pinecone is a five-and-a-half-ton geodesic home that can be installed in the forest or in your own backyard. The treehouse, accessed via a wood ladder and a trap door, is constructed from steel, wood, and glass that integrates into the forest canopy. Inside, 64 diamond-shaped windows provide 360-degree views of the surrounding forest or landscape. Even the floors are composed of transparent panels—enhancing the sensation of floating above the earth.

AI SpaceFactory entered and won NASA’s competition to design a home for Mars—and now their otherworldly creation is a reality here on earth. Named TERA, the eco-retreat is 3D-printed out of the same biopolymer basalt composite used to create the competition-winning prototype.The plant-based, NASA-tested material has three times the strength of concrete, and can be recycled or resorbed back into the earth at the end of the structure's lifecycle. The install process treads lightly on the surrounding ecosystem—for example, a laser scan of the build site will eliminate the need to level the forest floor.

As backers continue to donate to the project's Indiegogo campaign, additional amenities will be added to the grounds. For the time being, the home will rely on power from the grid.