PlayaDomes™ Shelters at Burning Man

Shelter Systems' PlayaDome Shelters are our most popular portable Geotensic™ shelters. They have been used on the playa at Burning Man for over 9 years. Known for their lightweight construction and strength as well as for the large amount of light they let in, they are made with a strong, tear-resistant fabric and non-puncturing tarp fasteners. They are truly portable and guaranteed to be leak proof. These playa dome shelters have served as family living spaces, camping tents, emergency shelters, studios, playrooms, retreats, fair pavilions, expedition tents, research tents, and more.

"We have been using two of your PlayaDomes for the past 4 years on the playa and as far as portability and usability they are the best thing going" Matt

Shelter Systems domes have been used as Geodesic Domes are used as Yurts, Domes, Portable Geodesic Greenhouses, Emergency Disaster Relief Shelters,Tents, Portable Classrooms, Cabin Tents, Hot Tub and Spa Covers, Pool Covers, Guest Houses, Ski Huts, Base Camps, Youth Camps, Eco tourism Cabins, Camping Tents, Mobile Offices, Shade and Solar Structures...

Easy Set Up
The 14', 18' and 20' PlayaDomes can be set up by one person in 30 minutes without tools. Insert the interchangeable poles into factory-attached connectors spaced evenly over the cover. The poles bend slightly when inserted, tightening the cover into a wind- and waterproof shelter. The cover is freestanding requiring no guy lines and can be moved into the desired position or location without disassembly. The Playa can be taken down in 5 minutes: just remove the poles and roll up the covering.

Sturdy Design
PlayaDomes™ are stronger than any other structure made of the same materials. Because of its curved shape with no corners, there are no weak points. Our patented structure is drum tight, waterproof and wind-resistant.

"We are very pleased to say our 18 foot dome survived the dust storms of Burning Man 2007. Ours wobbled and shook, but never failed. I did reinforce with guy lines, and will be adding more lines next year just in case. We stayed relatively cool with the black shade cloth, but can’t help but wonder if the silver reflective would be better next year. We also experimented with space blankets to reflect the desert sun beams, with mild success. I would recommend your domes to anyone in need of shelter. They are fairly easy/fast to assemble and super easy to disassemble, leaving more time for playa hijinks. Thanks so much! Keep it up. Cheers! Todd"

Shelter Systems' Playa Dome structures have the poles on the outside with the covering suspended under the frame via Shelter Systems' own Grip Clip tarp fasteners. The frame and the covering are not in direct contact. The important benefits from this design are that the covering is under constant, even tension so that the tent will not flap or shred in the wind. The poles cannot rub against the covering, thereby wearing holes in it. Water and leaf debris do not get caught in dips between the poles since the covering is tightly suspended under the poles. The poles and covering are not touching, so there is no temperature buildup to degrade the fabric at contact points.

The shingled panels of our Playa Domes overlap each other by 6", making the structure stronger and completely leak proof. The shingling also allows the structure to breathe. The buildup of moisture is driven out through the overlapped panels by vapor pressure and does not condense inside the tent.

Shelter Systems' patented Grip Clips™ tarp fasteners join the dome's cover to the frame. Grip Clips also fasten the shingled panels together, providing greater strength than sewn seams or any type of grommet because they do not puncture the cover, which would allow rain to enter. In addition, the Grip Clip grips a large surface area of the material which prevents the wind from tearing the tent.

Durable Materials
Shelter Systems' PlayaDomes are made wholly of Shelter Systems' super strong, tear-proof, woven rip stop film which will not rot or mildew. The covering effectively excludes rain, dampness, wind, cold, leaves and other debris. The completely waterproof covering and the shingling's breathability make a rain fly unnecessary. The covering is manufactured in three layers which are heat bonded together. It is UV-stabilized to withstand up to 3 years of full sun exposure. The white color of the covering defuses the sun and provides 40% shade.

The frames are constructed of strong, long lasting, resilient, UV-stabilized, Class 200, 1 1/4"-diameter (3.5 cm.) PVC tubing.

More Photos at Tent Testimonials

Light and Fresh Air
Shelter Systems' Portable Geodesic PlayaDome shelters are light filled and well ventilated. The translucent covering creates a bright interior, transmitting 60% of the light. Our domes for the playa come with four translusant windows above the doors. Shelter Systems' PlayaDomes have four flap doors evenly spaced around the dome for good cross ventilation and light. The door coverings close automatically so you can go in or out quickly. There are no zippers to fumble with or break.

Since the panels of our Yurts and Domes are shingled, overhead ventilation is easily attained by inserting "ventilation tubes" between several panels (two vent tubes are included with each dome). When the vent tube is removed, the panels snap shut and are watertight. For maximum ventilation the walls themselves can be rolled up, transforming the domes into an opened-arch form (see 30 PlayaDome at right in its open-arch form).

Shelter Systems' Playa Domes are winter ready if you get cold weather on the playa. They do not require a fly or liner for winter use. They are completely water tight and will not leak. Yet because our their shingled construction moist air is driven out through the shingling by vapor pressure. Shelter Systems' Yurts and Domes being dome shaped have a minimal surface area for their volume and are thus easy to keep warm with a stove (installation instructions are included with each tent).

The dome shape has other comfort features: The interior can be divided into "rooms." The tent has more volume than a flat-sided one and therefore feels, and is, more spacious. The shape is more heat efficient because less fuel is needed to heat it plus the heat circulates more evenly. The cover of the dome is easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

"I plan on useing my dome on the playa at burning man! i've heard great reviews of your product(s), and have been very pleased with the friendly, helpful staff when i've had questions. keep up the good work!"

A Shelter System
Shelter Systems' Geodesic PlayaDomes come complete with poles, 12" long quality Durapeg stakes, guy lines for strong wind settings, ventilation tubes, spare parts (Grips Clips and pole connectors) and a Shelter Systems' Instruction Manual that details floors, site selection, anchoring, cooling, winterizing, and stove installation. Our covers are ideally suited for most climates; however, they can be further adapted for use in extreme climates. For the extreme cold, where fuel is in short supply, we offer a full liner. For extreme heat, we offer net doors and a sunshade which blocks one hundred per cent of the sunlight.

Accessories include: Sunshades to keep cool, sticky back Velcro to help seal out dust, stronger stakes and more. See PlayaDome Kits

Shipping and Storage
All Shelter Systems' Geodesic Yurt Dome Shelters are shipped by DHL and pack up into compact packages that one person can handle take as baggage on a plane, transport in a car or store in a small space.

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PlayaDome 31 Diameter 31'x16' High Weight 270 lb. $2900

PlayaDome 30 Diameter (one of our strongest domes) 30 'x 11' High, 706 sq', 190 lb. $1990

PlayaDome 20 Diameter 20' x 10' High, 314 sq', Weight 70 lb. $920

PlayaDome 18 Diameter (one of our strongest domes) 18' x 9' High, 254 sq',Weight 60 lb. $780

PlayaDome 14 Diameter 14 'x 7' High, 154 sq', Weight 40 lb. $640

PlayaDome 10 Diameter (one of our strongest domes) 10 'x 5' High, 75 sq', Weight 21 lb. $480
Note: The PlayaDome 10 is a special order and is non-returnable.

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The 20' uses the same diameter poles as the 18' but each pole is longer so the poles end up less stiff thus the dome is not as strong. At the same time the 20' dome presents more surface area to the wind then the 18' so it is hit harder by the same wind.

Eleanor,
Attached are some pics of our beautiful dome over the years at BM. It's been out there 4 times so far, and has made a beautiful cosy addition to our camp.
/ michael

 

The 30' dome uses a larger (stiffer) pole than the 18' and 20'. The pole is shorter than the 20' dome, which also make the dome strong. The 30' dome is a less than a full hemisphere, only 1' taller than the 20' dome, so it does not present much more height to the wind.

All this being said the 14' and 20' domes, for their weight and size, are a strong domes, just not as strong as the 18' or 30'.

Size Photo Index
The 10' is the top of the BubbleDome 10.
The 14' is the photo above with the woman sitting in the door way on bottom of the Yurt Dome Page.
The 18' can be seen above with a flag and on the set up page.
The 20' is shown above with the van and the interior above on this page and at the far right on the PlayaDomes' Header at the top of this page.
The 30' dome is shown on its own page and is the two middle domes in the PlayaDomes' Header at the top of this page.
The 31' photographed above and below with two people inside and on its own page and the dome to the far left in the PlayaDomes' Header at the top of this page.

Note that you get a lot more volume for your money as you go up in diameter. When you step inside the 18' Playa Dome after being in the 14' PlayaDome, the 18 ' er feels twice as big. This is because the extra feet in diameter extends out in all directions (including up) creating a large increase in volume. Since the surface area of the covering does not increase as rapidly as the volume, the larger domes are less expensive for the space you get. Our drawings effectively illustrate the different sizes we offer.

Happy Customers: Tell about their experiences with Shelter Systems' domes. Photo rich.