geodesic dome

The 20th Annual Spirituality & Sustainability Awards

A lovely evening under the dome honoring Gary Behrman and John Guenther

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability hosted its 20th annual Leadership Awards in the Fuller Dome on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, IL. Each year the Center bestows two awards, one for Spirituality Leadership and one for Leadership in Sustainability. This event is an annual fundraiser in support of our mission "to promote humanity's sacred connection to the earth and each other."

Spirituality Leadership Award: Gary Behrman – Gary Behrman put his faith and spiritual values into practice over many years. After serving the Diocese as a priest, Gary devoted his life to serving others: as Associate Dean in the Graduate School, teaching in the Schools of Social Work, Medicine, and Allied Health at St. Louis University; training health professionals to recognize suicide risks, psycho-social spiritual issues in clinical practices; training social workers and clinicians to help families heal from trauma, and ethical issues with end-of-life events. He conducts workshops and seminars throughout the region, and most recently provided a retreat for current and former Catholic priests in Southern Illinois. Gary promotes interfaith dialogue with several religious societies including recent immigrants to St. Louis.

Sustainability Leadership Award: John C. Guenther – John C. Guenther, FAIA, LEED AP has created an exceptional body of architecture that thoughtfully considers the physical, environmental, social and historic context of each project. His work has received over 50 national, regional, and local awards from the AIA and a diverse array of organizations and publications. From 1979 to 2009, with the exception of two years, John was a design principal and partner with Mackey Mitchell Architects. Since 2009, John has practiced architecture independently. His projects of note include the Alberici Corporate Headquarters which was certified by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2005 as the highest rated LEED Platinum building in the world. Through his commitment to good environmental planning, John fought for the City of Wildwood, Missouri’s incorporation in 1995, to help the community stop the environmentally-destructive practices allowed by St. Louis County government.

Buckminster Fuller Architectural Tour

A guided architectural tour spanning the most important region in the world for domes related to the transformative legacy of Buckminster Fuller

On August 19th a guided architectural tour will span the most important region in the world for buildings related to the legacy of Buckminster Fuller. The area extending from St. Louis, Missouri to Carbondale, Illinois contains more architecture by famed inventor Buckminster Fuller than anywhere else in the world. The Buckminster Fuller Dome on the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville campus is hosting a tour of this areas significant collection of geodesic domes. All of these domes from the Climatron in St Louis to Bucky’s own dome home in Carbondale have a direct connection to Fuller who patented the geodesic dome as a revolutionary architectural form in 1954.

The tour will start in St Louis at the Missouri Botanical Gardens geodesic greenhouse, known as the Climatron dome, at 9:00 am on Saturday, August 19th. The tour will proceed to the Mary Brown Center dome in East St Louis designed in 1968 by the company that Fuller founded, Synergetics Inc. The next stop will be at the 384-foot-wide by 120-foot-tall dome in Wood River built in 1961 for the Union Tank Car Company by Synergetics Inc. The lunch hour will be spent in the miniature-earth Fuller Dome (originally named the Religious Center) that Buckminster Fuller designed with his architectural partner Shoji Sadao for the SIUE campus in 1971. The last stop on the tour is at Buckminster Fuller’s actual home, a geodesic dome in Carbondale Illinois that he and his wife Anne lived in from 1960 to 1972. The tour will return back to the Climatron in St Louis at approximately 7:00 pm. Lowder says that “a special guest guide will be joining us on the bus for this tour, playwright, actor and Bucky scholar, D. W. Jacobs, who wrote and performs a one man play based on Fuller’s life will provide perspective and anecdotes as we explore Little Egypt in search of Bucky’s legacy.” Lunch and transportation are provided. Tickets are $100 a piece and limited to 40 registrations, proceeds will go to help renovate the Fuller Dome at SIUE.

Buckminster Fuller • Art & Artifacts Exhibtion

World Renowned Inventor’s Artifacts to be Exhibited at the Fuller Dome

The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is hosting an exhibition of famed inventor Buckminster Fuller’s personal artwork and artifacts. The Center is inviting everyone to join them for an opening reception of this important exhibition in the Fuller Dome, on the SIU Edwardsville campus, Saturday, April 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. This exhibition represents the highlights from a collection of artifacts donated to the Center in recent years by the Estate of Buckminster Fuller. “This exhibition will include Fuller’s personal belongings in the form of maps, artwork, models, globes, and books that collectively provide a window into the mind of one of the 20th Century’s most original thinkers,” says Center Director Benjamin Lowder. “We are excited to share some new donations that were acquired for this collection as recent as February of this year.” The Center will also use this reception as an opportunity to publicly thank the Meridian Society for two recent grants that have benefited the Fuller Dome.

Buckminster Fuller is most famous for patenting the architecturally innovative geodesic dome in 1954. Fuller holds an additional 28 United States patents and did some of his most important work as a professor at both the SIUC and SIUE campuses. Fuller built the miniature earth Fuller Dome (originally named the Religious Center) for the SIUE campus in 1971. Today the Fuller Dome houses the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability who’s mission is to promote humanity’s sacred connection to the earth and each other. The Center shares the legacy of Buckminster Fuller as an inspiring example of what one human individual can do to positively impact our world. The Fuller Dome is located on the SIUE campus just off of Circle Drive, next to Parking Lot B. This event is free and open to the public. Please register to attend so the Center can track attendance.

Photos From the dome's 50th

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville photographer, Howard Ash, was in the Fuller Dome on 10/22/21 to document these scenes from the dome’s 50th anniversary celebration.

50 Years to the Day, A Reading of Bucky's "Geoview"

10/22/21 Celebration in the Dome

On 10/22/71 Buckminster Fuller dedicated the miniature earth geodesic dome he and Shoji Sadao designed for the newly created Southern Illinois University campus in Edwardsville Illinois. Bucky read an essay that day in 1971 to dedicate the building. The essay is titled “Geoview” and it describes Fuller’s vision and intention for the creation of his Edwardsville dome. 50 years to the day, on 10/22/21, Bucky’s family and supporters came together for a 50th anniversary reading of his “ Geoview” essay. Bucky’s language is verbose but when examined, it is revealed to be exactly constructed to convey the meaning he had intended it to communicate. Get inside the mind of Buckminster Fuller and enjoy this 50th Aniiversary reading of “Geoview” :

A 50th Anniversary reading of Buckminster Fuller's "Geoview" essay, originally read by Bucky for the 1971 dedication of his Religious Center, miniature-earth, "Geoscope" dome built on the SIUE campus. "Geoview" is read here on 10/22/21 (50 years from the day Bucky read it) by Bucky's grandson Jaime Snyder, his granddaughter Alexandra Snyder May, Bucky scholar David McConville, Bucky's colleague Amy Edmondson, Bucky devotee Benjamin Lowder, Bucky's niece Lucilla Fuller Marvel, and author of the Bucky play D. W. Jacobs. Today the Center is known as the Fuller Dome and it is managed by a nonprofit org. the Center for Spirituality & Sustainability.

Senator Crowe Visits the Dome

“When you live close to something, you can take it for granted,” said Crowe. “I grew up in Wood River and was familiar with the Dome, but I certainly didn’t understand the significance of it. It’s been a real educational experience for me. There are people outside of the country who recognize the importance of and the legacy of (sustainability pioneer) R. Buckminster Fuller. He and his contributions should be better known in our country, region and state.” 

Center Director Benjamin Lowder shares the Dome’s history and future plans with Senator Crowe.

Center Director Benjamin Lowder shares the Dome’s history and future plans with Senator Crowe.

“What struck me most is Fuller’s foresight, and that we are still considering the same things today,” continued Crowe. “I also learned how underutilized the Center is. The educational aspect and potential for SIUE students and others in the area is amazing.” 

Senator Crowe and Benjamin Lowder admiring Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome on the SIUE campus

Senator Crowe and Benjamin Lowder admiring Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome on the SIUE campus

The senator was excited about using her position on the Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee to elevate the CSS and help meet its objectives. “The Center fits in exactly with what we need in our area – tourism. We need to get the word out better about Mr. Fuller and everything he has contributed, so we can draw people here.” … You can read the full story here in the SIUE News …

Equinox Ceremony in the Dome

Sound & Symmetry ~ Fall Equinox Ceremony

An Equinox Ceremony in the Buckminster Fuller Dome at SIUE with Benjamin Lowder, Pati Pellerito & Stephanie Kusmer.

An Equinox Ceremony in the Buckminster Fuller Dome at SIUE with Benjamin Lowder, Pati Pellerito & Stephanie Kusmer.

On Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, join Benjamin Lowder, Pati Pellerito and Stephanie Kusmer for Sound & Symmetry ~ Fall Equinox Ceremony at the SIUE Fuller Dome.

Benjamin will lead a guided Equinox Sacred Ceremony, invoking the polarities brought on by the Equinox; assisting us as we tune into our center of equilibrium, connecting with other's and the crystalline symmetry and geometry of the Fuller Dome.

You will be supported by harmonic vibrations of gongs, singing bowls and sacred drum rhythms presented by Pati and Stephanie. Together, we will raise and amplify our intentions as we gather in community on this seasonal celebration.
Doors Open at 6:30, we’ll start ceremony at 7pm. Once ceremony starts doors will be locked.

To pay with credit card pre-register at Eventbrit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sound-symmetry-fall-equinox-ceremony-tickets-70531063309?fbclid=IwAR0dvaGoMx9EuB9SWiEAlNINT982qbHsvYC-ocG9UCNTjkP8Rpd4PiNIFHo $30 in advance, $35 cash at door. No cards will be taken at the door. We are limiting the tickets to 40, so sign up early to save your spot.

Bring blanket or mat for comfort. No children under 12 and no refunds unless event is cancelled.

Earth Day in the Fuller Dome

Earth Day 2019

For Earth Day 2019 we created a two fold celebration of the planet. The first half of our celebration occurred at noon on Earth Day and featured a “Blessing For Our Planet” by Rev. Annie Clark, our 2014 Spirituality Award Winner. Those in attendance joined hands in a circle beneath the dome and offered a blessing that included the request to:

“Let us each care for this gift entrusted to us. Let us individually and collectively open ourselves to be worthy of this stewardship, as we joyfully shower unconditional love, compassion and care for our planet, which so wonderfully provides for us.” - Rev. Annie Clark

Earth Day 2019 “Blessing For Our Planet” photo by Howard Ash, Southern Illinois University Marketing and Communications

Earth Day 2019 “Blessing For Our Planet” photo by Howard Ash, Southern Illinois University Marketing and Communications

The second half of our Earth Day celebration consisted of a round-table style discussion lead by a distinguished panel of professionals working in the fields of sustainable design. The discussion utilized Buckminster Fuller’s legacy as a catalyst for entering into an analysis of contemporary sustainable design practices lead by the considerable shared experience of our panelists:

John C. Guenther, FAIA,
LEED AP
John C. Guenther Architect

Daniel F. Hellmuth, AIA
LEEDTM Accredited Professional Principal
hellmuth + bicknese architects

William Odell, FAIA,
LEED® AP
HOK Architects

Angela A. Moore, LEED AP O+M,
TRUE Advisor Facilities and Sustainability Coordinator
Missouri Historical Society

Earth Day 2019 in the Fuller Dome

A Perfect Way to Honor Earth Day

Earth Day Flyer 2019.jpg

On Monday, April 22nd, The Center for Spirituality and Sustainability is hosting a pair of special events in the Fuller Dome on the Southern Illinois University Campus, Edwardsville, to observe Earth Day 2019. This two-fold celebration of the planet is intended to address both the spiritual and material aspects of how we can be good stewards of this planet. The Fuller Dome is a translucent, miniature-earth, geodesic dome built by the architectural firm of Fuller and Sadao, Inc. on the campus of SIUE in 1971. Designer Buckminster Fuller and Architect Shoji Sadao sited the center’s dome to straddle the Earth’s 90th Meridian which serendipitously allowed them to reference their earlier work on a more accurate world map that Fuller called the Dymaxion Map. This map also used the 90th meridian as its central reference point, and the resulting structure allows occupants to get a profound sense of their place in the world and the worlds place in the Universe.

The first event is a “Prayer for the Planet” happening in the Fuller Dome at noon on Earth Day. The “Prayer for the Planet” is a nondenominational expression of love and gratitude directed toward the earth. The Fuller Dome’s translucent, miniature-earth, dome provides the perfect place to direct our thanks to our planet that we all too often take for granted. Attendees will be invited to join hands beneath the dome and the Center’s 2014 Spirituality Award winner, Rev. Annie P. Clark of Inner Splendor will share a devotional she wrote titled “A Blessing for Our Planet.”  

The second portion of the Fuller Dome Earth Day Celebration begins at 7:00 pm on the evening of 4/22 in the newly inaugurated Fuller Dome Gallery. The Gallery is currently exhibiting a collection of art prints created by Buckminster Fuller of his most transformative inventions. This collection of photographs and renderings of Fuller’s sustainably driven inventions are being offered as inspiration to professionals working in the fields of architecture, design and engineering. Fuller called for a "design science revolution" to “make the world work, for 100% of humanity, in the shortest possible time, through spontaneous cooperation, without ecological offense or the disadvantage of anyone.” Attendees will join in an informal round table discussion lead by professionals working in fields of design science to discuss how our built environment can be in better balance with our natural environment. The discussion will draw on the inspiration presented by Fuller's legacy and offer it as a challenge to create a more sustainable society by taking an examined look at where we have been, where we are are now and where we need to go as a species.

The Earth Day 2019 events in the Fuller Dome are free and open to all who wish to attend. For more information email fullerdome@hotmail.com or visit www.fullerdome.org