Buckminster Fuller
A celebrated 20th-century visionary, inventor, entrepreneur and
author,
R. Buckminster Fuller continues to inspire and
influence generations of scientists, architects, designers, and
artists in their pursuit of a sustainable planet. Throughout his
lifetime that was spent in the study of diverse fields such as
education, engineering, geometry, architecture, and cartography,
he was focused on bringing about a radical change in the global
management of all available material and human resources for the
betterment of humanity.
More for Less - The Geodesic Dome
'More for less' was the
philosophy that guided
Fuller's designs, the most famous
among which is the
Geodesic Dome. A light-weight, easy to
assemble, very strong and cost-effective part-spherical structure
created out of a network of icosahedrons, the dome does not use
any intrusive supporting columns and encloses more volume than any
other structure while using the
minimum of construction
materials. Fuller envisioned the structure as the perfect
solution to human housing issues throughout the world. With energy
and air allowed to circulate inside it without any obstruction,
the dome proved to be highly energy-efficient. Its other key
features were stability and strength that resulted from its
'Omni-triangulated' geometric dimensions. A triangle has the
unique property of cascading distribution of whatever pressure is
applied to any of its edges, and this is what makes it very stable
and not so easily distorted.
Cube Octahedron and Genesa Crystal
The other significant
creations of Fuller were the
Dymaxion structures that were
designed to yield the maximum efficiency possible from the
available technology. Dymaxion was the name he gave to
Cube
Octahedron, a sacred geometry pattern that can hold the five
platonic solids within itself. According to him, it showed the
inter-relation of the platonic solids as phases of a mutual
transformational process and was indicative of the referential
pattern adopted by nature for conceptual relationships. In a
spherical form, cube octahedron is called
Genesa
and is seen to reflect an embryonic living organism's cellular
pattern. It is the coded matrix of all life force and is the
powerful energy system that is present in all forms of
development, growth, and change. Designed as four inter-woven
circles, the Genesa Crystal is popularly used for bringing
balance, symmetry, rhythm, and harmony in life which further leads
to physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.
Synergetic Geometry
The innovative designs created by Fuller were greatly inspired by
nature. Quite early in his life, he was struck by the amazing
structural uniformity that is evident all around us in all
existence, including flowers, seed pods, snowflakes, etc. His
innate understanding of nature led him to develop the concept of
Synergetics.
It is a study of Cosmic or spatial complexity to recognize,
understand and appreciate the mathematical structural strategies
inherent in nature. Fuller introduced a method of holistic
thinking that involves geometric modeling and uses experience and
thought-process for exploring inter-relationships. He explored the
principles of design (that intellects refer to as Sacred Geometry)
used by nature for creation and coordination of the Universe at
physical as well as metaphysical levels. He, then, strived to
apply these principles in different human endeavors to solve the
diverse problems faced by humanity. His concept of
synergetic
geometry embraces every aspect of being, every quality of
experience and encourages a new approach to solving problems
Buckminsterfullerene (also called Bucky Ball)
Even after his death,
R. Buckminster Fuller continues to
garner respect and appreciation for his imaginative and
revolutionary ideas for using technology for improving human
lives. In 1996, scientists Harold Kroto, Richard Smalley, and
Robert Curl were awarded the Noble Prize in chemistry for their
discovery of a spherical carbon molecule, C60. This extremely
stable and symmetrical molecule was observed to resemble the
geodesic dome. Therefore, as a mark of respect to the great
architect, it was named Buckminsterfullerene (also called
buckyball).
About the Author
David Weitzman
The jewelry artist David Weitzman combines ancient and sacred knowledge into a unique line of jewelry designed to bring people both beauty and inspiration. David's artwork harnesses the power of spiritual symbols and sacred geometry from around the world to bring those wearing this sacred jewelry happiness, vitality, excitement, and love.
