FOLDED PLATE DOME - SQUARE IN PLAN
The simplest arrangement of folded plate elements is the square dome, as illustrated above. The spans of the column centers are limited by the span of the triangular slab which would get very thick and heavy if the spans are large. An arbitrary definition of efficiency is, if the slab gets thicker than 4 inches, then the structure is too heavy. In this example, the domes are shown as continuous so the thickness of the slabs can be made smaller by continuity with adjacent slabs. At the outside edges, a member is required, as in the usual folded plate structure. Square domes may also be constructed using more than five plane surfaces, with a flat surface on the top, thereby cutting down the span of the slabs.
If you wish to eliminate the appearance of the shell entirely, turn up the edge member so the roof structure cannot be seen from the street.