Those who are old enough may remember that geodesic domes were a popular fad in the sixties and seventies of the last century. I admit to being caught up in this fad and, in fact, the first structure that we built when we bought land in Accokeek in 1977 was a smallish geodesic dome. However, time was not kind to my little dome, especially around the round windows that I had made out of old industrial light fixtures. Sometime last year I looked on in despair at my forty-something dome and decided it was time to tear it down. This is where my facebook friends intervened, after I posted my intention, some even giving me teary eyed emoticons! Friends, this really helped me see it in a new light – as a building with historic value! I decided to restore, not destruct. Last year I replaced rotten panels and struts and redid the shingles, and this year I have cleaned up the floor, and installed, for the first time in its life, an actual real door.
So far, so good, but I had actually no idea what I would use the building for. I thought it wouldn’t be that great for an art studio since, because of the previous window problems, I now had only three small windows and a small skylight. This is where the original thinking of granddaughter #2 came in handy with an idea I never would have thought of on my own: “We should hang aerial silks from the ceiling!”
Aside: for anyone who really wants to embrace the dome lifestyle, my friend has a great dome for sale – see details at https://domeinthemarylandwoods.vpweb.com/pictures