Above & Below Thursday, September 20, 2007 Dome structures are popping up in outdoor event designs more frequently because they provide a completely different look and feel than traditional tents—and clients are always on the lookout for a way to stand out from the crowd in a live setting. Inflatable dome structures with no hard framework are just beginning to make their way to the U.S. from Europe. The fact that many dome structures can be linked together via corridors, and that they can be branded inside and out with graphics is leading more designers to think domes when designing (primarily) outdoor event environments. Suppliers are keenly aware of this trend, and new features and models are allowing designers to use techniques such as projection lighting effects inside and out of the dome itself. Case in point: Designers from The Elevation Group connected 50-foot- and 30-foot-diameter geodesic dome structures to create an immersive environment for the Pioneer Hot Import Nights tour. The two steel-frame domes acted as a centerpiece for Pioneer’s 8,000-sq.-ft. event footprint, and the 50-foot diameter dome (which was set up like a nightclub environment). “The 50-footer is a new format; it’s an interior skin that is inflated and then vacuum seals the air out, so it has a perfect interior liner,” says Greg Senior, a manager at Pacific Domes, which provided the Pioneer structure for Hot Import Nights. Elevation took advantage of that liner surface for the Pioneer environment. “We worked with Obscura Digital to create a one-of-a-kind 360-degree IMAX-style multimedia experience that immerses consumers in the brand and gives them a fun and memorable lifestyle experience,” says Elevation mobile marketing director Rick Schanz. The 30-foot dome connected to the main “club” dome served as a VIP area where Pioneer could entertain key guests. Elevation went with the dome structures because they projected a cutting-edge, hip image for their client. “We needed a large transportable display that would serve as a major showcase for products and create a unique brand statement for our client. We also needed to be able to set up and dismantle with relative ease, and the domes are a good solution in that regard,” Schanz says. In the European market, inflatable domes with no hard frames have been surfacing at events for years. They are now beginning to appear stateside. An example from this summer: Airstar America’s “The Dome” inflatable structure, which made its debut at the TS2 event and exhibit show’s Block Party Event in July in Washington, DC. The 60-ft. diameter dome is made of a U/V coated, semi-synthetic cloth/poly blend, and is supported inside by a six-leg inflatable structure called Spid-Air (which can also be used as an architectural element on its own, minus the dome skin). Two revolving airlock doors keep the dome inflated as guests come and go. The dome is kept in place by a ballast system of sandbags along its perimeter, and the interior and exterior are perfect for projecting lighting effects. “You can put LED lights inside the legs, for a glowing effect,” says Lisa Wessels, who handles special events for Airstar. The structure can be up and ready to go in about four hours, Wessels says.
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