Biodome
A biodome is principally a closed ecological system, normally a human-made building that contains a closed ecosystem, often under glazed or transparent canopies.
These installations may also be referred to as a biosphere's, although the word biosphere also refers to the Earth's ecological system, which these smaller spherical or dome buildings often attempt to mimic. Biomes and biospheres have also been created to mimic life on other planets as well as life on Earth, in fact the earliest example was Biosphere 2, which was initially set up to research how life might function beyond Biosphere 1 (Earth) another example is BIOS-3.
Today biodomes and biospheres can perform a number of functions, such as scientific research, education, protection and tourism, and a number of different examples can be found globally.
Further information can also be found with the Biosphere Foundation as well as via the various examples listed below:
- Biosphere Foundation https://biospherefoundation.org/current-space-biosphere-projects/
- Montreal Biodome, Canada. https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome
- Aladin Biodome, Iceland. https://aldin-biodome.is/?lang=en
- Koniglicher Burgers‘ Zoo, Netherlands. https://www.burgerszoo.de/ihr-zoobesuch/fuhrungen
- Biosphere 2. USA. https://biosphere2.org
- Eden project, United Kingdom. https://www.edenproject.com
- BIOS-3, Siberia. http://www.ibp.ru/labs/mc.php (Russian)
- Biosphere J, Japan.
- Biosphäre Potsdam, Germany. https://www.biosphaere-potsdam.de
- Montreal Biosphere, Canada. https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biosphere
- Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA), Spain. https://www.melissafoundation.org
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.






















