50 Year Old Buckminster Fuller Project Gets a $7 Million Upgrade

Anything that has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckminster_Fuller">Buckminster Fuller</a> stamp on it gets our attention, so when we learned that <a href="http://www.asminternational.org/portal/site/www/">ASM International's</a> headquarters in Russell Township received a $7 million upgrade, we had to tune in. <a href="http://www.metropolismag.com/story/20111018/a-second-chance">Metropolis magazine</a> reported that when Terence Kelly's original crescent-shaped building, which was complemented by Bucky Fuller's largest dome, turned 50 in 2009, it became eligible for a <a href="http://www.nps.gov/nr/">National Register of Historic Places</a> listing and $2.5 million in tax credits. So ASM decided to take advantage of the government's tax break by giving the building at least another 50 years of life! <a href="http://www.peasephotography.com/">Scott Pease</a> sent us a set of beautiful images of Bucky Fuller's dome and the newly-renovated headquarters, available for your viewing pleasure right after the jump!

In 1950, Terrence Kelly recruited Buckminster Fuller to help him design the new ASM International headquarters in Russell Township

The site is located just east of Cleveland in Ohio

When the offices turned 50, it became eligible for a National Historical Registry listing and $2.5 million in tax breaks

The ASM board decided to take advantage of the tax breaks and enlisted Dimit Architects to give a hand

The Ohio Preservation Society and National Park Service were responsible for ensuring that the project's historic integrity remained intact

All of the original materials needed to be preserved

Copper fin-tub radiators, a large single pane plate of glass, and open tread stainless steel stairways are among the materials preserved

The renovation project cost $7 million and was completed last year

Buckminster Fuller's geodesic dome had received upgrades previously and was left untouched this time

The dome remains structurally sound

This is a wonderful example of caring for America's historic projects, and in particular, Buckminster Fuller's enduring legacy!