A 72-metre geodesic dome delivered in the heart of Budapest, on a former railway site. Gigadome is the largest structure of its kind in Europe and the most ambitious project in the history of Polidomes.
The scale of Gigadome
Gigadome was developed as the central structure of a larger architectural system created for Planet Budapest – the European Sustainability Expo, one of the most important events in Europe dedicated to sustainability, innovation and future-oriented solutions.
With a diameter of 72 metres, the dome became the dominant element of the entire site — both visually and functionally — acting as the main anchor for the full event layout.
The project was delivered in a highly demanding, post-industrial environment. The location, a former railway depot in Budapest, included active ground constraints such as railway tracks, technical infrastructure and uneven terrain. There was no existing venue, no prepared surface and no ready-to-use event infrastructure.
The entire space had to be transformed from the ground up — from raw, technical ground conditions into a fully operational, large-scale event environment.
Despite these constraints, the full dome complex was assembled in just 1.5 months and operated continuously for 2 months, hosting an international audience and supporting a high-density event programme.
What we delivered
The scope of delivery extended far beyond a single dome structure.
Polidomes designed and delivered a complete system of interconnected domes, forming a coherent, modular and fully functional event environment. At its centre stood the Gigadome — supported by a network of smaller Polidomes structures:
Together, these structures created a layered spatial system — combining a large central volume with a series of supporting domes, each assigned to specific functions within the event.
The layout allowed for simultaneous use of multiple spaces, smooth circulation between zones and clear functional separation of activities.
The project scope included:
The result was not a temporary installation in the traditional sense, but a fully operational architectural system designed to perform under real conditions.
Application
The dome complex was designed to support the programme and character of Planet Budapest — an event focused on sustainability, environmental responsibility and future development models.
The structures enabled the creation of:
By combining multiple domes into a single integrated system, Polidomes created a venue that offered significantly more flexibility than traditional halls or exhibition centres.
Each dome could function independently, while still being part of a larger, connected environment — allowing organisers to design diverse and parallel experiences within one coherent spatial concept.
This approach supported both the content and the scale of the event, providing a physical framework aligned with the ideas of innovation, adaptability and responsible design.
Summary
The vast spaces within the geodesic dome complex, anchored by the impressive central Gigadome, provided a unique opportunity to integrate numerous multimedia installations, significantly enhancing the innovation and diversity of the Planet Budapest event. These often fully interactive and highly creative setups delivered unforgettable experiences, ranging from fulldome spherical projections to bespoke immersive media. Additionally, spacious and comfortable conference rooms perfectly complemented the comprehensive nature of the event.
This project marks another milestone in strengthening the global recognition and trust in Polidomes, a company that continues to push the boundaries of advanced, large-scale geodesic structures for the events, trade fairs, and conference industries. High-end B2B solutions demand total commitment and professionalism, especially for such sophisticated projects that seamlessly merge geodesic architecture with cutting-edge multimedia and professional event spaces.
