A dome of our own
Monday, October 1, 2007
Baton Rouge’s most distinctive modern building is rusting into the earth, and barely a soul has batted an eye about it for years.
The building was the brainchild of R. Buckminster Fuller, one of the most important innovators of the 20th century.
The renowned philosopher, inventor, architect and engineer conceived the plan for the geodesic dome. Ever taken your family on vacation to Orlando? Spaceship Earth, the iconic attraction at Epcot Center is the perfect example of a geodesic structure, the house that Fuller built.
The one he helped construct in Baton Rouge holds the distinction of being the world’s first industrial building to feature the unique network of struts arranged on great circles, or geodesics, intersecting to form triangular elements and creating a super-strong structure in the shape of a dome or, in some cases, a sphere.
Today it sits abandoned and mostly forgotten on a stretch off Scenic Highway in North Baton Rouge, a relic of modern design that’s failing the test of time.
The building was completed in 1958 as a tank car service shop for the Union Tank Car Company. Fuller spent months in Baton Rouge personally overseeing construction of the 384-foot diameter dome, the 11th-largest in the world.
“That dome is more than just a singular building, it’s an emblem of Louisiana’s history,” LSU design professor David Baird says. “If you look at the architecture during the ‘50s and ‘60s you’ll find Louisiana was seen as extremely progressive. In addition to Fuller, you had renowned designers like I.M. Pei and Richard Neutra working on projects in the state. From an architectural standpoint, it’s a really amazing thing to have it in our midst. It would be a shame to lose that.”
Others have tried to drum up support for the old building but failed.
Now, the Foundation for Historical Louisiana has identified Fuller’s grand old dome as a Baton Rouge architectural treasure, placing it on its list of endangered properties.
Foundation director Carolyn Bennett has contacted current owners, Kansas City Railroad Co., to talk about buying the building.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t made much progress so far,” Bennett says. “It’s a shame. We don’t even know what kind of condition it’s in. This isn’t just a building important to Baton Rouge, this is a landmark of international renown and it should be saved.”
We want to hear what you think. Should Kansas City Southern sell the property to the Foundation so the structure can be saved? Visit 225batonrouge.com and vote in our poll. fhl.org
Comments
Posted by paulconnelly on October 5, 2007 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I stumbled across the dome in 1999 while scouting sites for a manufacturing plant. When I first saw it, I slammed on my brakes and watched as it re-emerge from the dust cloud I had created. I vividly remember this image and the thought that went through my mind: "How cool is this?" It seems like it was in use at that time-- or at least there was some activity at the entrance. I could tell by the patina of the panels and the overall condition of the site that it had been there a while but I never realized that it was built in the 50's. By the integrity of the construction materials and methodology I knew that it was a significant structure. I thought that surely this was some kind of pre-fab system available on the internet and wondered why there weren't more examples in Baton Rouge. I hope the recent attention to the dome generates enough energy to ensure that this important structure is preserved. I am sure that there are others like me that would like to know more about the dome: What is the story on its commission by the railroad folks? Where did "Bucky" stay in Baton Rouge when he made site visits? floor space, volume, office/workspace layout, etc. What are possible alternative uses for the dome? Can you do a more in-depth article with photos of the inside?
Posted by DefMech on November 27, 2007 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The dome has collapsed and is completely destroyed.
Posted by fourx5 on November 27, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Par for the course in Baton Rouge; while no one was looking, someone at KCS destroyed an architectural landmark on the same level as Fallingwater.
No one in the city cared; there's probably no connection between those who approve demolition permits and the historic preservation register.
I grow more and more disappointed in my former home every day. When developers try to move the city forward with TNDs, everyone complains about drainage and traffic - without commissioning any studies of their own. When idealists ask the city council to approve the very idea of tolerance, it is rejected by the white christian power base in Baton Rouge.
Long story short, the powerful in Baton Rouge are gonna have it their old-school way, even if it costs Baton Rouge its rightful place as the next major city of the south.
Isn't it time someone called the power structure in Baton Rouge on their BS? The demolition of the dome without notification or question, over the protests of preservationists, is just one more example of how things work.
Posted by yournosavior on November 27, 2007 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am disgusted by the actions taken by the Kansas City Railroad Co.
It just so happens that exactly a month ago today a friend and I decided to take a venture to Brooklawn Drive to view and take pictures of the architectural spectacle. Seeing it for the first time was utterly breathtaking. Driving down a road surrounded by nothing but woods and train tracks and suddenly seeing the behemoth-sized dome emerge from the wooded area was breathtaking. The building was jaw-dropping. We had both underestimated the sheer size of it. I think we may have taken the last pictures ever of Bucky's masterpiece. It blew my mind when the same friend who took the trip with me called about 10 minutes when she explained that the building had been demolished. I can't understand why KCC would demolish such an integral part of architectural and even chemical history. Buckminster Fuller based his design of the building on his discovery of the molecule we now call 'Bucky Balls'. I am still just so shocked. I can't believe historical works of art can be destroyed by under appreciation. KCC should be ashamed.
Posted by jbeary on November 28, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you fourx5. I try and try, but no matter what, there are always more reasons to leave Baton Rouge than there are to stick around...
Posted by martinb on January 4, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I live in Baton Rouge and have been attempting to become involved in an effort to save this dome for a few years now. I wish I had seen this article sooner. I was devastated when I found out KCS quietly destroyed it without public notification. In a blind moment of shortsighted thinking they have deprived not only my children, but countless future generations the opportunity to be inspired by it.
In January 2008 it would have been 50 years old, and listed under the National Register of Historic Places. Interesting how it was demolished just two months before.
This was historically one of the most significant important buildings in Louisiana, and certainly among those in the United States of not the world. It symbolized forward thinking, human accomplishment, and Buckminster Fullers true still unrecognized genius. It will be sadly missed.
Posted by emkos55 on May 19, 2008 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was just researching for information on Dome's in my area near St. Louis and came across your article on this dome. I was employed by Dome Railway Services in Woodriver, Il. for 20 yrs. and I believe it's still in operation today, repairing railcars. It's now called Millenium railway. This structure is the exact replica of the one in Baton Rouge and possibly KC. It has also been painted several times and has a million dollar paint facility attached to it. It doesn't matter to me if they destroy it or not but the maintanence must be very costly. Just thought I'd share this info with you and thanks for letting me. emkos
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