Geodesic Temple

A sculpture by Disorient.
http://geodesictemple.com Facebook info@geodesictemple.com

OVERVIEW

Geodesic Temple is an expression of the Disorient philosophy: individual cells work together to create the ever-evolving landscape of life. Disorient is based on a biological model. It is an art-centered, inspirational and nourishing collective that feeds on positive energy. It is open source and creates systems that can be taken apart by others and from which new systems can be developed.

Geodesic Temple is a modular structure that uses the octahedron (double pyramid) as a modular building block to create self-supporting structures. The octahedron is one of the five platonic solids. It has been used through the ages in sacred geometry and spiritual architecture. According to various traditions, each of the five platonic solids carries special teachings. The octahedron, also known as “the seed of life,” is symbolic of the union of heaven and earth, which exists within each of us. It also represents the Heart Chakra, serving as an expression of self-love and compassion. The octahedron is connected with the element of Air, which represents consciousness, the breath of life, and new beginnings.

From this rich symbolic basis, Geodesic Temple derives a special power to enable profound personal realizations and transformative collective experiences. From a distance, the Temple seems complex, but as the viewer comes closer, she encounters a fundamental shift of awareness upon discovering the simplicity of the components and the logic of the structure. This shift of awareness challenges expectations, opening the heart and mind to new possibilities.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Geodesic Temple is a meta-modular, self-supporting, burnable structure made of a series of octahedra, a regular polyhedron with 8 identical equilateral triangular faces which is also a geodesic volume and a platonic solid. The octahedron is used as the structural building block to create a self-supporting system to which skins, lights, facades, etc. can be added. In that sense, it is about transparency and truth. Octahedra usually have similar sizes and are made of similar struts.

Modular

Modularity is one of the core principles of Disorient as expressed in the Disorient Model. Geodesic Temple is a meta-modular (modules made of modules) structure based on a single module, a octahedron.

Economy

Geodesic Temple is economical because of the inherent strength of triangles. It takes less material to build a self-supporting structure with octahedra than it would using orthogonal building blocks since triangles, being inherently triangulated, are stronger than rectangles. Geodesic Temple is visually and physically light for its size. It is ethereal.

Skin

Sides of octahedra can be partially or completely skinned. Skinning the structure with plywood or fabric provides additional shade and but add wind resistance.

Reuse

As an art collective, Disorient has developed a decentralized approach to art making supported by a rich vocabulary of modules. The octahedra of Geodesic Temple are part of Disorient's visual vocabulary and are often reused and reconfigured to create new versions of Geodesic Temple. You can see examples of several structure configurations based on the same octahedron in the Temple Library below.

Safety

Geodesic Temple should not be climbed. It provides shade and a meeting place for members of the community to gather and interact with each other.

CONNECTORS

Geodesic Temple uses metal connectors to assemble wooden struts into octahedra and connect octahedra together: the Simas connector and the Lowroad connector respectively, both named after their designers.

Simas Connector connects 2x4 struts into octahedra

Version 1.0 (Mars 2011) - Simas Connector 1.0 is made of three 1/16" steel plates welded together. Two Simas Connectors are needed at each apex of the Octahedron (See pictures below). Holes receive 1/4"x2" bolts.

Version 1.1 (April 2011) - Same as 1.0 plus 45 degree reinforcement bar on the side, between the plates.

Version 2.0 (May 2011) - Based on previous versions. Increased steel thickness to 1/8".

Version 3.0 (Dec 2015) - Small changes and additional plates on the Simas connector allow for metal-to-metal connection between octahedra. The Lowroad connectors are no longer needed. File:SimasConnector20151204.skp animation

Lowroad Connector connects octahedra together

Version Alpha (April 2011): GeoTemAlpha was assembled using off the shelf metal plates screwed into the 2x4 struts.
Version 1.0 (May 2011) Lowroad Connector 1.0 is made of one 1/8" steel plate bent in two places. Holes receive 1/4"x2" bolts.

WOOD PREPARATION

Following our modular stance, wooden struts used to create octahedra are similar and interchangeable. To that end we use a jig to cut and drill every strut so they are all identical. Struts can evolve from one Geodesic Temple to another depending on wood availability and version of Simas connector used.

ASSEMBLY

We have cells dedicated to specific parts of the assembly process. The highly repetitive aspect of this construction permits members of each cell to become experts at the specific tasks that they perform which translates into a more accurate fabrication, faster assembly and a safer structure.

The different steps of on-Playa assembly are performed in parallel by several cells.

Octahedron Assembly

Create octahedra by connecting 2x4s together using the Simas Connector. The ends of the struts that are precut at an angle to fit tightly together using the Simas Connector. Repeat the process until the octahedron is complete. Members of this cell are responsible for quality control of each octahedron. Each wood strut is carefully assessed for strength and durability. Struts that are warped, split and/or that have knots are set aside and used in related projects which require a lower level of accuracy such as Disorient camp frontage or Disorient mutant vehicle transformation. After each octahedron is assembled two members of the cell verify that each nut is tight on its bolt. This step is crucial as a lack of rigidity in one octahedron could compromise the entire structure.

Connecting Octahedra into Arches

Create arches by connecting octahedra together using the Lowroad Connector. For GeoTem04 two "arches" are assembled separately on the ground. Arch "A" is made of 6 octahedra--5 for the arch plus one on top of the arch. Arch "B" is composed of 7 octahedra--5 for the arch plus two on top of the arch, the top octahedron being the top of GeoTem04.<--Two types of C modules are created: "regular" C uses 3 octahedra, "long" C uses 5 octahedra. Long C modules are used only at the base of the structure. Both types of C modules can be assembled on their flat side on the ground by a crew of 3 using a 6' ladder.-->

The Click

Connecting arch A and arch B together using the Lowroad Connector. This last step of GeoTem04 assembly is also known as the Click. It requires 13 people and a 10-12' tall box truck. The top of the box truck is prepped with a platform made of 3 sheets of 4'x8' 3/4" plywood screwed together to two 2x4x10' struts and secured to the box truck with ratchet straps. This platform allows a specialized cell to work on top of the truck to do the final connect. All four legs of the two arches need to be on the same plane, preferably horizontal, which means that the ground needs to be measured and possibly dug in some locations for the Click to happen smoothly.

TEMPLE LIBRARY

Sarcophagus (Bedouin Tech 2016)

3D model: File:GeodesicTempleBedouinTechDubai2016.skp
Dimensions: 1100cm wide x 680cm high x 1070cm deep

COMPONENTS (2 OH contingency included):
(8) octahedra
(96) 400cm long 2x4 studs (sourced in Dubai)
(96) Simas connectors (made in Dubai)
(36) Lowroad connectors (made in Dubai)
(624) bolts/nuts/washers combo
(96) 380cm white LED strings with power supply and controller

NOTES:
- Sarcophagus is the first GeoTem to use 400cm long wooden studs (previous GeoTems used 8ft. long studs). This means that each OH will require ladders to be assembled. We will need two 300cm ladders.
- Final assembly will require work done at 680cm high so we might need a small cherrypicker for construction and break-down

TEMPLARS:
Director, Design, 3D model: The Eye
Producers: The Eye, Firas
Connector advisors: Simas B., Lowroad
LED / Programming: Warren, Gerard, Neirud
Wood: Sami, Guillaume, Freeman, Wees, Darcy, Ramzi
Logistics, Coordination, Fundraising: Firas, Warren

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Asterix (Burning Man 2015)

3D model: File:GeoTemAsterix2015.skp

COMPONENTS:
(9) octahedra

NOTES:
Uses wood and connectors from GAX.

TEMPLARS:
Director: The Eye
Producers: The Eye, Justin D.
Electronics design: Max Henstell, Matt Mets
Assembly: Lowroad, Freeman, Jasmine Y, Jared Klett, Brian O'Clair

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The Fifth (Country Club 2015)

by The Eye and Ninja
3D model: File:GeoTemCC2015.skp

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GeoTem2014

GeoTem at Country Club
by the Soviet Block

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The Third (Country Club 2013)

by Lowroad and The Eye

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GeoTem08

GeoTem on the Dex

GeoTem07

GeoTem06 on its side

Height: 61' Length: 116' Width: 82'. 24 struts x ?? octahedra = ?? 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem06

Iteration of GeoTem04 and GeoTem05


Height: 64' Length: 82' Width: 82'. 24 struts x 144 octahedra = 1728 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem05

Iteration of GeoTem04

Height: 52' Length: 57' Width: 57'. 24 struts x 55 octahedra = 660 2x4x8' struts.

GAX (GeoTem04 Arena Hexa) (Burning Man 2011)

Burning Man Proposal 360 photo of GAX



Photos by James Addison

Height: 32' Length: 110' Width: 95'. 12 struts x 65 octahedra = 780 2x4x8' struts.
3D model of GAX: File:GAX.skp

GeoTem04 Arena Square

Height: 32' Length: 83' Width: 83'. 12 struts x 52 octahedra = 624 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem04a

Height: 32' Length: 33' Width: 33'. 24 struts x 21 octahedra = 480 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem04

Height: 32' Length: 33' Width: 33' Weight: ~2000 Lbs (including metal connectors and hardware). 12 struts x 13 octahedra = 156 2x4x8' struts.
Line drawing 3D model of GeoTem04: File:GeoTem04 line.skp

Figment NYC 2011

Time-lapse

Playa Del Fuego Spring 2011 Odessa, DE

Dead load analysis

Dead load+Wind analysis

Assembly sequence

1. Connect 5 OH to create big C #1
2. Connect 5 OH to create big C #2
3. Add 1 OH to big C #1 to create Arch #1
4. Add 2 OH to big C #2 to create Arch #2
5. Raise Arch # 1 and #2 and connect them together. Use box truck as elevated platform.

GeoTemAlpha (Disorient presents: GLAMTECH)

GeoTemAlpha is the first Geodesic Temple to be built. It is a proof of concept made of seven octahedra that form approximately half of GeoTem04. It uses the Lowroad Single Strut Cord design. 2x4 struts are assembled into octahedra using the Simas Connector version 1. It is painted fluorescent pink. Produced by Preston and Jay.
Height: 15' Length: 27' Width: 30'. 12 struts x 7 octahedra = 84 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem03

Height: 36 feet. 24 struts x 57 octahedra = 1368 2x4x8' struts.

GeoTem 01, 02

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Height: 91 feet. All icosahedra are the same size.

3D files

GeoTem03, 04, 05, 06: Media:GeoTemOcta01.skp‎
GeoTem01, 02: Media:GeoTemIco.skp‎

Logo

Notes

- Camp frontage and Dex transformation uses same polyhedron as Geodesic Temple.

References:
La Fievre d'Urbicande
From Victoria's inspirations and JoeChe on FB