Energy Benefits of Tourist Accommodation Using Geodesic Domes

Abstract

Over the last decade there has been a proliferation of glamping architecture. This study analyses the energy performance of geodesic domes for use in tourist glamping compared to more conventional prismatic architectural solutions. The energy analysis of geodesic domes applied to this type of singular construction project currently lacks detailed studies that provide conclusions about their relevance and suitability with respect to other types of architecture. The main objective of this research is to demonstrate the energy benefits of tourist accommodations that use geodesic structures compared to those with a simple geometry. A comparative study of a traditional and a geodesic geometry accommodation is carried out, considering that they share the same characteristics and they are built with the same construction solution. An energy simulation of both architectures is carried out by using DesignBuilder software. The most influential strategies, such as Direct Passive Solar Gain, Heating, Natural Ventilation Cooling, Fan-Forced Ventilation Cooling and Window Solar Shading are considered. After demonstrating the greater efficiency of geodesic domes, this study analyses the relevance of subdividing the accommodations into several geodesic dome spaces. The results quantify an energy benefit of 52% for cooling consumption using the geodesic dome solution compared to a traditional prismatic solution.