Starting the Process of Building a Dome

Starting the Process of Building a Dome

One of the great things about air-supported domes is the ease with which they can be erected. However, quite a bit of planning is necessary before the addition of one to an area. Here are some of the first steps involved in dome creation.

Determining the Need

One of the main appeals of a bubble is the low cost compared to a conventional structure. However, it’s still important for a company, town, or city to figure out their dome’s primary purpose and where they want it located. For example, if the idea is to offer a facility for young people to play sports, the location should ideally be somewhere near where many of them live. The dome is likely to get more use that way, rather than relying on the youth to take the bus or receive transportation back and forth from parents.

Choosing a Site and Dome Dimensions

Domes are quite versatile, and work just as well in the country as they do in the city. However, there are some considerations. What is the planned purpose of the dome and how much space is needed for it?

If the dome is intended for a small town that simply wants an indoor soccer pitch, then that is comparatively little space.

If the intention is for the facility to host several different sports, including one or more at the same time, you’ll probably need a larger space. The accompanying parking lot will also be bigger. The Farley Group may work directly with other partners on such projects to determine the singular requirements for specialized builds, including an upcoming one in Detroit that will house a velodrome and recreation fields.

Designing Work

Air-supported domes may look more or less the same to casual observers, but each dome could have subtle differences. For example, depending on the primary activity, the entry points are in an entirely different spot. Farley personnel factor the area and intention into their planning and customize a design plan that will take best advantage of the space to give the best possible experience for users.

Creating the Foundation

While the materials used for the dome are relatively light, it still must be anchored in place. It isn’t enough to build a five-story building and not attach it firmly to a foundation. Domes are the same in this regard; they are much easier to take down and move, but they still need a solid foundation for the structure to work as intended.

Fabricating the Dome

Following the completion of these steps, we move on to the fabrication of the dome. The durable, vinyl-coated polyester fabric is fire and stain/fade resistant, but still fully customizable in colour and translucency.

Then, our construction specialists move on to such later stages as insulation, cabling, fabric welding, mechanical equipment installation, adding the entrances and exits, installing the interior lighting, et cetera. For a detailed description of the process from start to finish, read this about Air Structure Components[http://www.thefarleygroup.com/Components.htm].

If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of what you need to consider before getting started (including the cost), contact us directly or download our whitepaper right now!