R. Buckminster Fuller and Anne Hewlett Dome Home — Attraction in Carbondale

I am a student studying architecture at SIU Carbondale, and I had a professor suggest I check this place out, as it is the first geodesic dome home. I still have some trouble really understanding the math and science behind that, but I get the general idea. It was a little trouble getting to set up a tour, but it is worth doing because you're not going to be able to get the experience. If you can, hope on the website, by looking up bucky fuller dome home, navigate to their Facebook, check their about section for information, and make a call to set up a tour. Anyway, my mom visited me, and I felt it would be an interesting thing to do for the day. We both agreed that the tour was very in-depth and could have gone more in-depth if we had time. I learned a lot about Buckminster Fuller and his work, and really, how important it is to architecture and construction as a whole. If you have any appreciation for history, architecture, or construction, this place is worth checking out. Additionally, though it isn't open yet, they are developing a visitors center (accepting donations) and it currently stands as the first 3D printed building in the Midwest, so there's another reason to visit! All I can say is just come visit, you will...

Where architecture, engineering, futurism, geometry, and even retro come to meet!

Professor Fuller lived in this house from 1960 to 1971, and it has been lovingly restored by fans, with Fuller's furniture and eclectic art treasures, including his vintage kitchen appliances, arranged as per photos of his home at the time.

Most of us have seen photos of geodesic domes (if nothing else), but of course you must inhabit architecture to truly understand it; drawings and photos don't give you a complete impression. Also, if you've ever wondered how square furniture fits into a round house, here is where you find out.

The floor plan is semi-open; there is a living room area, and a kitchen/dining room area. There is a 'loft' upstairs, apparently serving as a den/library/office. The bedroom and bathroom are the only enclosed rooms, as I recall. The interior walls are self-supporting, and seem to be disconnected from the dome structure which forms the 'shell' of the house. The house looks small from the outside, but it feels comfortably cozy inside, not cramped; many have observed that round interior spaces are psychologically soothing, and I can believe it, after...

Buckminster Fuller being one of my favorite philosopher engineers with an eye towards a sustainable future, I really enjoyed seeing the house but unfortunately only from the outside. The gates were locked but I parked in Anna Jason driveway and did a quick walk around. Love the history,...