Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller & Lord Norman Foster / Design District, Miami

The Design Miami satellite exhibition Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller & Lord Norman Foster in Miami’s Design District is dedicated to two iconic inventions by architect, designer and inventor Buckminster Fuller: the Fly’s Eye Dome and the Dymaxion 4 car.

In 1961, the Fly’s Eye Dome was envisioned by Fuller as a fully functional, air deployable, low cost off-the-grid shelter. Though never fully realized in his lifetime, Fuller created three prototypes – a 12, 24 and 50 foot dome. A historic restoration of the 24 foot dome was recently completed in Bristol, RI.

Also on display is Buckminster Fuller’s Dymaxion car. This ‘omni-directional transport system’ (patent 1937) was intended to fly, jump-jet style, when suitable alloys and engines became available. Three cars were produced in Fuller’s lifetime. Renowned contemporary architect Lord Norman Foster recently reconstructed Fuller’s Dymaxion Car in England – Dymaxion 4.

The 24 foot dome is a part of the Craig Robins Collection. It will be installed in a pedestrian plaza currently being developed in the heart of the Miami Design District.

Architecting the Future: Buckminster Fuller & Lord Norman Foster. Design District, Miami. Press reception, November 28, 2011.

PS: For a concept similar to Buckminster Fuller’s Fly’s Eye Dome, click here: Matti Suuronen’s Futuro – House of the Future.

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Photo set on Flickr:
Architecting the Future

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