List I'm Behind on my e-mail, but catching up. The post dated 2/4/98 regarding "Bucky" Fuller's geodesic Domes built on equal lengths is close. His math lays out the structure in triangles with segmented sides i.e. frequencies, which alow the structure to take on the spherical shape. Most domes used for home building are 3 or 4 frequency structures that contain struts-segments-forming pentagons and hexagons. Thge two that I built are 3 frequency 40' domes. My shop is a high profile and our house is a low profile. The shop has a 40' clear span aith a ceiling height of almost 27'. the cable that hangs from that height makes it a dream to lift and install plates (and engine blocks etc). The building is approximatelt 2000 square feet-which includes extensions and storage loft at a cost that was 40% less than a "pole" building of equal sq.ft. The heating and air conditioning average less than 50% of a stick frame structure. Temp and humidity swings are very slow. The building does not require heat until the outside temp falls below freezing, and will not freeze inside until the outside temp drops to 15 degrees. I bought dome "kits" which came with all the engineering, hardware, instructions and as much "precut" material as you wish. The shop started as an experiment to see if we could build a dome and if we'd like it when done. It has worked far better than we realized. For example, the worst heating bill to date (paid last year during the toughest winter in recent Minnesota history) was $150.00 (electric heat), and we don't have the structure completely insulated! We air condition our 3800+ sf house with a unit sized for 1500sf (and its a little too big). The stability in the shop has greatly enhanced piano and woodworking because of the stability. The 1500sf of clear main floor spacecontinues to give the flexibility to arrange the shop as the need dictates. Its unconventional shape has not caught on in the building trades or public taste, but we have seen many that have been very well done and are very pleasing home and work environments. Builders shy away from them because of the unconventional shape and banks are a little nervous about lending for one, but many have been constructed and have a good track record for financing. I know this rambling doesn't have lot to say about pianos, but I could go on about the importance of stability, free span flexibility of a shop FOR piano work. If any one is considering a new shop building, consider the benefits of "Buky's" buildings. Paul Chick rpt Plainview Mn
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