The Winooski Dome
In 1979, officials in Winooski, Vermont applied for a $55,000 federal grant to study the possibility of building a dome over the entire city. They explained that a dome might slash the cost of heating Winooski's buildings by up to 90 percent.
They didn't actually have a plan for how the dome would be built, but they eventually enlisted the help of architect John Anderson who came up some ideas. Details from UnofficialNetworks.com:
They didn't actually have a plan for how the dome would be built, but they eventually enlisted the help of architect John Anderson who came up some ideas. Details from UnofficialNetworks.com:
Thinking ahead, he envisioned a vinyl-like material attached over a network of metal cables, ranging from transparent (on the southern side, to allow in sunlight) to opaque on the northern side. Air would be brought inside by large fans and heated or cooled as necessary. The Dome would be held up by air pressure just slightly above atmospheric pressure. Entrances and exits would consist of double doors, akin to an airlock. The homes inside would require no individual heating or cooling — “you could grow tomatoes all year-round” he said. If the Dome were punctured it would come down slowly, allowing for ample warning.
Comments
I just had to look for more information. Found this link: https://unofficialnetworks.com/2013/02/02/entire-vermont-town-covered-giant-dome/
A nice more in-depth read, plus there is a link at the bottom of the page to another take on the process and it's end.
A nice more in-depth read, plus there is a link at the bottom of the page to another take on the process and it's end.
Posted by Steve E. on 07/23/21 at 01:09 PM
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Category: Architecture | 1970s