Fly's Eye Restoration Near Completion
For Inquiries please contact: Elizabeth Thompson
Executive Director
Tel: 718 290 9280
Email: contact (at) bfi (dot) org
Bristol, RI, May 19. 2011
Goetz Composites, fabricators of some of the most successful race boats in the world including three of today’s most high profile yachts as well as ten America’s Cup racing yachts is nearing completion of a historic restoration of one of Buckminster Fuller’s most iconic structures, the 24 foot Fly’s Eye Dome.
Patented in 1965, Fuller created two prototypes of this structure – a 24 foot and 50 foot dome. Fuller writes in his seminal book, Critical Path that “the Fly’s Eye domes are designed as part of a ‘livingry’ service. The basic hardware components will produce a beautiful, fully equipped air-deliverable house that weighs and costs about as much as a good automobile. Not only will it be highly efficient in its use of energy and materials, it also will be capable of harvesting incoming light and wind energies.”
The 24 foot dome has undergone extensive restorations in an effort to return the dome to its original condition by the renowned Goetz Composites in Bristol Rhode Island.
“Having the Bucky Dome at our shop has been fun and a broadening experience. It has been amazing, how many people to whom I have talked recently, appreciate Bucky's work and are interested in this project, said Eric Goetz, Chief Technology Officer. Applying our expertise with composites in the world of architecture is exciting and the possibilities are enormous. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of composites in the architectural space.
“This process has been totally amazing”, said Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Director of
The Buckminster Fuller Institute. “Eric and his team, working with Daniel J. Reiser and John Warren who fabricated the original structure with Bucky, have gone to extraordinary lengths to engage this process with the same meticulous detail as a world-class fine art restorer. The 24 foot Fly’s Eye dome is a convergence of Fuller’s most advanced thinking with regard to synergetic geometry, advanced structural systems, and the very contemporary notion of a dwelling machine."
The 24 foot Fly’s Eye dome has been restored in preparation for installation during Art Basel I Miami Beach and Design Miami in December and for inclusion in the contemporary art and design collection of Craig Robins, CEO and President of Dacra, Miami.
For details and to secure a reservation for the unveiling, send an email to: ct (at) bfi (dot) org.
About Goetz Composites
Eric Goetz began perfecting composite construction in 1975. Eric currently teaches and consults with MIT, Yale and the Rhode Island School of Design as they develop their interests in composite buildings and architecture.
The company has delivered more large and complex custom composite structures then anyone in North America. In addition to large architectural projects (including a 165’ suspended library), Goetz has built Ten (10) America’s Cup Boats and some of the world’s most high profile racing yachts. Customers include Roy Disney, Ted Turner and Larry Ellison.
Goetz Composites on the web
About The Buckminster Fuller Institute
Founded in 1983 The Buckminster Fuller Institute is dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of solutions which radically advance human well being and the health of our planet's ecosystems. We aim to deeply influence the ascendance of a new generation of design-science pioneers who are leading the creation of an abundant and restorative world economy that benefits all humanity.
Our programs combine unique insight into global trends and local needs with a comprehensive approach to design. We encourage participants to conceive and apply transformative strategies based on a crucial synthesis of whole systems thinking, Nature's fundamental principles, and an ethically driven worldview.
By facilitating convergence across the disciplines of art, science, design and technology, our work extends the profoundly relevant legacy of R. Buckminster Fuller. In this way, we strive to catalyze the collective intelligence required to fully address the unprecedented challenges before us.
www.bfi.org
1980 - Buckminster Fuller with Fly's Eye dome and Dymaxion Car in Snowmass Colorado
2010 - Fly's Eye Dome installed in Beacon, New York
2011 - Fly's Eye Dome restoration at Goetz Boats in Bristol, Rhode Island
