A pre-fabricated dome and a spherical structure include strut assembly sets, into which glass panels or synthetic resin transparent plates are to be inserted, are assembled into 5 sets of hexagonal modular assemblies around a pentagonal assembly to build a primary pentagonal modular assembly, and further 5 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies, into which upper and lower, (outer and inner) struts are assembled in 2 layers (of outer and inner walls), are interconnected to build a semi-spherical dome, and if 12 sets of primary pentagonal modular assemblies are assembled, a solid cylindrical structure can be built to provide a perfect block between the outdoor and the indoor so that the room temperature will not be affected at all by the outdoor temperature.

A strut connector for use with a hollow strut having at least one a pair of opposed openings formed in the strut. A pair of identical connector portions are rotatably coupled together, with one of the connector portions inverted. Each connector portion is a flat blade having a body portion and an arm portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first hole and a second hole. The arm portion has at least one tab extending from the arm portion at an angle. The arm portions are coupled together via the first hole, then rotated to engage respective openings on the strut with the tabs. The second holes are aligned and a fastener secured through the second holes.

A strut connector for use with a hollow strut having at least one a pair of opposed openings formed in the strut. A pair of identical connector portions are rotatably coupled together, with one of the connector portions inverted. Each connector portion is a flat blade having a body portion and an arm portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first hole and a second hole. The arm portion has at least one tab extending from the arm portion at an angle. The arm portions are coupled together via the first hole, then rotated to engage respective openings on the strut with the tabs. The second holes are aligned and a fastener secured through the second holes.

A batten bar is configured to secure first and second adjacent flat panels to a structural framework. The batten bar includes first and second inside legs, first and second outside legs, and a plurality of apertures disposed along the length of the batten bar. The first and second inside legs define a central channel. The first outside leg and the first inside leg define a first seal recess configured to receive and retain a first seal. The second outside leg and the second inside leg define a second seal recess configured to receive and retain a second seal. In an installed configuration, the first inside leg and the first outside leg are configured to contact the first flat panel along a first common plane, and the second inside leg and second outside leg contact the second panel along a second common plane.

Primary architectural hubs useful for providing geodesic structures, the hubs provided enabling a strut configuration interface having increased strength over analogous articles of the prior art. In some embodiments are provided secondary hubs attached to the primary hubs, which provide for truss configurations enabling rectangular apertures such as doors to be affixed to a geodesic structure without compromising the strength of the geodesic structure as a whole, which was the case with prior art geodesic structures.

A building system comprising a plurality of tubes, a plurality of connection nodes comprising tubular sections for connection to the tubes, wherein the tubes are arranged to connect between the connection nodes to form a frame for a building, wherein at least one continuous cavity is formed through at least a portion of the nodes and tubes when the nodes and tubes are connected, the building system further comprising fluid tight seals between the tubes and connection nodes to enable fluid to flow through the at least one continuous cavity.

A curved staircase including a double helix form with no center support column includes a plurality of stair segments, wherein each of the stair segments is formed from a plurality of rods coupled to a plurality of connecting nodes. The plurality of rods are arranged in a skewed tetrahedral geometry, which causes the plurality of stair segments to form a helical structure when the plurality of stair segments are coupled together. The plurality of rods form a spine on an underside of the plurality of stair segments. A tread is coupled to each of the stair segments. In alternate embodiments, the curved staircase may be formed from sheet metal creased to form a plurality of linear support locations and connecting nodes.

A connector is described herein. In an embodiment, a connector may comprises an upper wall, a lower wall, one or more outer circular walls and one or more inner circular walls; wherein one of the one or more outer circular walls is an extended part of the upper wall or the lower wall; wherein one of the one or more outer circular walls and one of the one or more inner circular walls are configured to form a circular slot between the outer circular wall and the inner circular wall; wherein the connector is configured to accommodate a plurality of ends of a plurality of planar panels in the circular slot to connect the plurality of planar panels. The connect further comprises a top connector piece and a bottom connector piece; wherein the top connector piece comprises the upper wall and one of the one or more inner circular walls; wherein the bottom connector piece comprises the lower wall and one of the one or more inner circular walls; wherein the top connector piece and the bottom connector piece are configured to be joined. In an embodiment, the connector is configured to facilitate the assembly of a dome structure.

A modular building structure has a framework including a plurality of rods and connectors to interconnect the plurality of rods together, and empty spaces bordered by corresponding rods. A plurality of panels, wherein one panel is mounted inside each empty space and connected to the framework to create an interior, an air chamber layer inside which air may circulate. The air chamber layer forms at least a portion of an outer surface of the interior. At least one upper valve system is mounted in the upper portion of the structure, and at least one lower valve system is mounted in the lower portion of the structure. The upper and lower valve systems are selectively operable to regulate the thermal conditions inside the interior as a function of the meteorological conditions outside and a desired temperature inside. A method operates the upper and lower valve systems.

A geodesic dome accessory having an accessory frame that utilizes a base frame and an upper frame. The base frame is attached to the frame of the geodesic dome on interior to the frame. The upper frame attaches to the base frame and secures the membrane of the geodesic dome between the upper frame and the base frame, providing a weather resistant or tight seal. The base frame forms an opening to access from the exterior of the dome to the interior. The upper frame can be in a variety of configurations, including a window, door, vent passage, or stove pipe passage. The structural framing of the dome can remain with the base frame in the shape of the opening between frame elements, such as a window, or the framing can be removed with the accessory base frame forming the structural support replacing the standard framing, such as a door.