Modular Temporary Dome for Emergency & Research Use

When disasters strike or temporary research stations are needed, having a fast, adaptable, and sustainable solution can make all the difference. That’s where this Modular Temporary Dome comes in—a lightweight, eco-friendly, and easily deployable structure designed to serve as an emergency shelter, medical refuge, or research lab.

Why This Dome?

This design is based on a hexagonal structure that allows multiple domes to be connected by simply unzipping their walls, forming larger, adaptable spaces. Whether used individually or as part of a modular complex, it provides a versatile and scalable solution for temporary needs.

Key Features:

✅ Modular & Expandable – Attach multiple hexagonal units to create larger spaces.

✅ Eco-Friendly – Built with sustainable materials and designed for reuse.

✅ Fast Assembly – Easily deployable with minimal tools and setup time.

✅ Versatile Uses – Ideal for medical stations, emergency shelters, and field labs.

In this guide, I’ll take you through the design process, materials used, assembly instructions, and final renderings of this innovative dome. Let’s build a temporary structure with a lasting impact!

To bring this Modular Temporary Dome to life, I used a combination of traditional sketching tools, 3D modeling software, and digital resources. Here’s everything you’ll need:

Design & Sketching:

- Blank paper

- Compass

- Ruler

- Pencil

- Eraser

3D Modeling & Rendering:

- Fusion 360 (or any other 3D modeling software)

- Blender (or any other 3D rendering software)

- A working computer capable of handling 3D rendering

Research & Concept Development:

- A stable internet connection for gathering information and refining the design

- Creativity & critical thinking to solve design challenges and optimize the structure

With these tools in hand, I designed a scalable, eco-friendly, and modular dome perfect for emergency shelters, medical stations, or temporary research labs.

Before designing the Modular Temporary Dome, I needed to understand the specific requirements and conditions that an emergency shelter, medical shelter, or portable research lab must meet. This research helped me determine the essential features of my structure.

Understanding the Needs

🔬 Portable Research Lab Requirements:

A research lab must be capable of supporting scientific work in remote locations, meaning it needs to accommodate delicate and essential equipment such as:

- Analytical Balance

- Autoclave

- Bunsen Burner

- Centrifuge

- Colony Counter

- Deep Freezer

- Homogenizer

- Hot Plate

- Hot Air Oven

- Incubator

- Laminar Air Flow / Laminar Hood

- Magnetic Stirrer

- Microscope

- pH Meter

- Spectrophotometer

- Vortex Mixer / Vortexer

- Water Bath

- Water Distiller

🏥 Medical Shelter Requirements:

A temporary medical shelter must provide a safe and sterile environment for patient care and treatment. Essential features include:

- Beds for patients

- Food & water supply

- Medical operation equipment for emergency procedures

⛺ Emergency Shelter Requirements:

An emergency shelter should be quick to deploy and provide basic survival needs for displaced individuals. This includes:

- Beds for people seeking refuge

- Food & water supply

Site Considerations

With ongoing global conflicts and natural disasters, emergency shelters are often needed in urban areas where existing infrastructure has been destroyed. These spaces must be:

✅ Quickly built

✅ Easily expandable

✅ Adaptable to various environments

Design Inspiration

To ensure the shelter could be rapidly expanded, I looked to nature for inspiration. Bees construct their homes using a hexagonal pattern, which allows for infinite scalability and efficient space utilization. By using a similar modular hexagonal design, I could create a lightweight, adaptable, and interconnected structure that meets the needs of multiple scenarios.

📱 Documentation:

I documented all my research and initial ideas in my notes app, which helped me refine the concept before moving on to the design phase.

To begin the design process, I started by sketching the structure on paper. The foundation of the dome is a hexagon where each side measures 4 cm on paper, representing 4 meters in real life (scale: 1 cm = 1 m). After establishing the base hexagon, I connected multiple hexagons around it to explore expansion possibilities.

Once I had a sufficient number of hexagons, I began assigning functions to each, designing different layouts for medical shelters, research labs, and emergency shelters.

1. Medical Shelter Design 🏥

The medical shelter is divided into three main sections:

a) Patient Ward

- Contains 6 beds, each 1m x 2m x 0.25m (standard hospital bed size).

- Each bed is equipped with a life-monitoring system to track patient vitals.

- In the center of the room, there is a large table with 6 chairs where patients can eat, talk, play card games, or receive minor treatments.

- Three walls have open space (2m) for medical staff and patients to move freely.

- A central structural pillar provides support and stability.

b) Operating Room

- Equipped with 3 operating beds, each separated by sterilized privacy curtains.

- The design allows for free circulation of surgeons, nurses, and medical equipment.

- The dome structure helps optimize airflow and ensure a sterile environment.

c) Storage Room

- Used for medical supplies, emergency kits, and additional equipment.

- Can be expanded by attaching more hexagonal units if extra storage is needed.

2. Research Lab Design 🔬

The research lab follows a similar hexagonal layout but is optimized for scientific experiments.

- Central Table: Holds laboratory equipment for conducting tests and research.

- Three Sides Dedicated to Research:

- Workstations for microscopes, pH meters, and testing kits.

- Shelves for chemical storage and sample preservation.

- Large Equipment Area: Provides space for generators, freezers, and sterilization devices.

- Flexible Layout: Can be reconfigured based on research needs.

3. Emergency Shelter Design ⛺

- Follows the same bed design as the medical shelter, but without life-monitoring systems.

- Space-efficient layout to accommodate displaced individuals during crises.

- Can be connected to other hexagons for kitchen areas, dining spaces, or additional sleeping quarters.

4. Structural Design of the Dome 🏗️

- Total Height: 3 meters (2m walls + 1m curved roof).

- Walls:

- Feature unzippable sections, allowing for connection between multiple domes.

- Can be adjusted to create doors or passageways.

- Roof:

- Designed with a curved shape to help rainwater flow down and reduce structural stress.

- Support System:

- A central pillar in each hexagon provides stability.

- Six exterior support pillars reinforce the dome.

Next, in Part 3, we will discuss the materials used for construction. 🚀

For this project, I aimed to use affordable, durable, and eco-friendly materials to ensure structural integrity while maintaining sustainability. Below are the best material choices for each component of the dome:

1. Structural Support:

The frame of the dome must be strong, lightweight, and cost-effective. The best material options are:

- Galvanized Steel: Strong, corrosion-resistant, and relatively cheap. It is widely used in emergency shelters.

- Aluminum Alloy: Lighter than steel but slightly more expensive. It offers excellent resistance to rust and corrosion.

- Bamboo: A sustainable and low-cost alternative that provides good structural support when properly treated. It is commonly used in eco-friendly shelters.

👉 Best Choice: Galvanized Steel (Cheapest and strongest option for long-term use).

2. Flooring Material:

The floor must be strong, impact-resistant, and environmentally friendly. Options include:

- Compressed Bamboo Panels: Biodegradable, strong, and water-resistant.

- Recycled Plastic Panels: Made from reused plastic waste, durable, and waterproof.

- Cork Flooring: Naturally antimicrobial, lightweight, and biodegradable.

- Plywood with Eco-Coating: Affordable and easy to install, but needs waterproof treatment.

👉 Best Choice: Compressed Bamboo Panels (Strong, eco-friendly, and biodegradable).

3. Walls & Roof Material:

The fabric used for the walls and roof needs to be UV-resistant, waterproof, and able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Best materials include:

- PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: Waterproof, UV-resistant, and durable. Used in military tents.

- Dyneema Composite Fabric: Ultra-strong and lightweight, but expensive. Used in high-performance tents.

- Ripstop Nylon with Silicone Coating: Tear-resistant, lightweight, and weatherproof.

- Recycled HDPE Fabric: Made from recycled plastic, eco-friendly, and highly resistant to weather conditions.

👉 Best Choice: PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric (Affordable, durable, and used in professional-grade shelters).

Summary of Materials Chosen:

For Very Temporary Tents:

Component Best Material Option

Structural Support Bamboo

Flooring Compressed Bamboo Panels

Walls & Roof Recycled HDPE Fabric

For Long Period Temporary Tents:

Component Best Material Option

Structural Support Galvanized Steel

Flooring Compressed Bamboo Panels

Walls & Roof PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric

These materials balance cost, durability, and eco-friendliness, making them ideal for emergency and temporary shelters.

Durability, Reusability & Cost Analysis

- Estimated Lifespan: The materials allow for long-term reuse, with an expected lifespan of 10-15 years under normal conditions.

- Cost Estimation:

- Galvanized Steel Frame: ~$800–$1,200 per dome

- Compressed Bamboo Flooring: ~$300–$500 per dome

- PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric (Walls & Roof): ~$200–$400 per dome

- Total Estimated Cost per Dome: $1,300–$2,100 (Varies depending on region and supplier).

- Ease of Assembly & Disassembly:

- The modular zippered walls allow for quick assembly and takedown within 3-5 hours by a small team.

- The design makes it easy to relocate and expand as needed.

End-of-Life Plan: Sustainable Disposal & Recycling

When the dome reaches the end of its life, its components can be repurposed or recycled:

- Galvanized Steel Frame: Can be melted down and reused for new construction projects.

- Compressed Bamboo Panels: Biodegradable and can be composted or repurposed for furniture or insulation.

- PVC-Coated Polyester Fabric: Can be recycled into new tarps, industrial textiles, or upcycled into bags, covers, or insulation materials.

This approach ensures minimal waste, making the project not only effective but also environmentally responsible. 🌱♻️

Final Thoughts

The modular, lightweight, and durable nature of the dome allows it to be reused multiple times, making it a cost-effective and sustainable solution for emergency shelters, research labs, and medical facilities. Its ability to quickly deploy and expand makes it an excellent choice for humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and field research. 🚀

To bring the dome concept to life, I used Fusion 360 for precise modeling and Blender for realistic visualization. This allowed me to analyze structural stress, assign materials, and create high-quality renders to showcase the final design.

1. Modeling in Fusion 360

1. Opening Fusion 360: I began by launching Fusion 360, a professional 3D CAD software.

2. Creating the Dome Structure:

- I designed a hexagonal base, with each side measuring 4 meters (scaled to 4 cm in the model).

- I added a central pillar and six external pillars to ensure structural stability.

- The walls were designed with zippered connections to allow for modular expansion and easy assembly/disassembly.

- The roof was curved to improve water drainage and reduce wind/snow load stress.

3. Assigning Materials & Simulating Stress Resistance:

- Each part was assigned a specific material (galvanized steel, compressed bamboo, PVC-coated polyester).

- Using Fusion 360’s simulation tools, I ran stress tests to ensure the dome could withstand extreme weather conditions, weight loads, and long-term use.

2. Designing in Blender

1. Importing the Model: After finalizing the structure in Fusion 360, I exported the model and imported it into Blender.

2. Setting Up the Environment:

- I placed the dome in a realistic ambient scene to simulate different use cases (disaster relief site, research base, emergency shelter).

- I adjusted lighting to reflect natural sunlight and indoor illumination.

3. Applying Textures & Materials:

- Steel beams were given a metallic texture for realism.

- Walls and roof fabric were textured with PVC-coated polyester properties to simulate light reflection and resistance.

- Floors were given a compressed bamboo texture for an eco-friendly aesthetic.

4. Final Rendering:

- Once the textures and lighting were set, I optimized the render settings for high resolution.

- I hit the render button, producing high-quality images that showcase the dome in different environments.

Here are the final renders of my modular dome, complete with realistic lighting, materials, and textures. These images showcase how the structure could function as an emergency shelter, research lab, or medical facility in different environments.

This project was an exciting challenge, and I hope it inspires sustainable, modular, and rapidly deployable solutions for real-world needs.

Final Thoughts

🔥 Thank you for reading through my project and exploring my vision! I truly believe that this design could become a reality and make a positive impact.

🙏 Special thanks to the judges for taking the time to review my entry, and a huge shoutout to my best friend Bruno for introducing me to Instructables and this contest! This is also my first Instructable and I'm in high school (I'm 17).

🎉 Good luck to all participants, and I hope you all have an amazing day! 🚀