The R. Buckminster Fuller Dome Not-For-Profit

An Organization to Restore, Maintain and Promote Fuller's Carbondale Dome Home

Bucky Fuller in front of Carbondale Home Dome

The RBF Dome Mission

Our mission is to preserve the original dome home and legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. To develop and operate a “home museum” within the Carbondale, Illinois Dome Home and chronicle the years during which Buckminster Fuller and his wife Anne lived there. To utilize the Fuller Dome Home Museum as an educational tool to help fulfill Fuller’s vision -

to make the world work for 100% of humanity in the shortest possible time through spontaneous cooperation without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.

The Fuller Dome Home Restoration Project

Honoring his legacy, inspiring our future

Block Party a Huge Success!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to make our first annual Bucky Block Party a roaring success. Over 115 people of peope were given by Ed Cook, Interior Preservation and Construction Manager.

Check back here for more upcoming event announcements!

Announcing!

Mighty Buildings to 3D Print Visitors Center 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

Mighty Buildings crew placing panels

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


Phase One

Restoration of Dome Exterior | Completed

BFA_portal-3
Exterior Before
BFA_portal_4
Exterior After
 

Phase Two

Restoration of Dome Interior | Completed

Living_woodcut
After Renovations
before_living-woodccut
Before Renovations
 

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!

Restored Interior of Anne and Bucky's Dome


Phase Three!

Campaign for New Visitor's Center!

The Groundbreaking for the new Visitor's Center has inspired many long standing admirers of the effort to help in having Bucky's Home Dome Museum become a beacon for the legacy of Bucky Fuller. Join us in assuring that the Carbondale Home Dome becomes a beacon to the world because now, more than ever, Bucky's message to humanity needs to be heard.

Donate to Visitors Center

Mary O'Hara and Tom Redmond


"The Groundbreaking for the Dome’s Visitor’s Center was an inspiring event for many. It paid homage, not only to Bucky Fuller, but the hundreds of people who are inspired by his work. They persevere. One Person has our special attention right now is Bill Perk (1927-2022)...visionary, teacher, philanthropist, activist, and loving father and husband. October 24th was to be his 93rd birthday. "

"To honor Bill’s contributions to many, Mary O’Hara and Tom Redmond, will match any donation to the Dome project up to $1,000.00."

"Let’s keep this momentum going. Onwards to the opening of the Visitor’s Center before the next Solar Eclipse in 2024!"

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.