When we began developing Scandinavian Domes, the shape itself was far from new. The geodesic dome has a history stretching back more than a century. It is built on an idea that is easy to describe but fascinating to explore: creating a strong, spherical structure from a network of triangles.
One of the earliest structures commonly included in the history of the modern geodesic dome was developed by the German engineer Walther Bauersfeld. In the 1920s, he worked on a spherical structure for a Carl Zeiss planetarium in Jena. Dividing a sphere into triangular sections made it possible to create a thin yet highly stable shell.
A few decades later, the American architect, designer and inventor R. Buckminster Fuller became the person most closely associated with the geodesic dome. Fuller developed, patented and popularised its principles. He saw the dome as a way to create large, lightweight structures that made efficient use of materials.
It is easy to see the appeal.
A triangle is inherently stable. Unlike a quadrilateral, for example, it cannot change shape unless one of its sides changes length. When many triangles are joined together in a spherical geometry, loads are distributed throughout the structure. The result can be surprisingly strong in relation to the amount of material used.
That is one reason geodesic domes have appeared in so many settings. They have been used for radar stations, exhibition buildings, research facilities, greenhouses, homes and temporary structures. The form allows large, open spans and handles wind and other loads differently from conventional walls and roofs.
For us, though, the history itself was not the most interesting part. It was the principles behind it.
At first glance, a geodesic dome can look almost simple: join enough triangles and they form part of a sphere. But as soon as you try to design your own model, you discover how much geometry lies beneath that shape.
The triangles are not all alike. Their side lengths vary. The angles between them have to be right. Every small deviation is repeated in many places and can grow as the structure closes. The elegance of the form depends on a precise relationship between all its parts.
That combination drew us in: a structure with a long history and well-known mathematical principles, but ample room to develop the way it is made, joined together and used.
We also wanted to build in timber.
That changes the conditions. Timber is a living material. It has grain, moisture, movement and natural variation. At the same time, it belongs naturally in northern Sweden, with a history reaching much further back than the geodesic dome.
So our question was not how to invent the geodesic dome all over again.
It was how we, at Granberget in northern Jämtland, could combine geodesic geometry with timber, modern digital design, precision and our own approach to quality.
Buckminster Fuller spoke of doing more with less. Our challenge was different but related: how far could we refine an already ingenious geometric principle?
That was where our own journey began.
And quite early on, we found a phrase that has stayed with us ever since:
Our journey towards the Perfect Dome.
During the summer of 2026, we selected three pilot partners from almost 100 applications from Sweden and abroad. The pilot year has now begun with installations in Hemavan, Åre and Borgafjäll.
Under sommaren 2026 valde vi ut tre pilotkunder bland närmare 100 intresseanmälningar från Sverige och andra länder. Pilotåret har nu inletts med installationer i Hemavan, Åre och Borgafjäll.
Tillsammans med våra pilotkunder kommer vi under det kommande året att vidareutveckla varje del av Scandinavian Domes – från materialval och hantverk till logistik, installation och långsiktig hållbarhet – inför den bredare marknadslanseringen 2027.