Chapter 03  ·  Field Metrics
Pneumatic Union Almanac Dry Lake, Nevada 04 / 12
The takeaway · Membrane economics, 1972–1975

Cheap vinyl outperforms every “permanent” structure we tried — by a factor of nine.

Cost per sq. ft. · Enclosed volume
$0.42
Average build cost of a 50×50 ft pillow, 1974 desert edition
89% cheaper than shed frame
Sample: 14 pneumatic builds staged between Marfa and Yucca Flats. Excludes fan-hours, blower rentals, and refreshments.
Enclosed cu. ft. per dollar · by structure type
Pneumatic Rigid frame
2,400 1,800 1,200 600 0 2,280 1,720 940 380 240 PILLOW 50×50 DOME AIRBEAM TIMBER CONCRETE 9× MORE VOLUME / $
This is the Ant Farm Inflatables design system, applied by Curio Design — a design-style library for AI agents. Full Ant Farm Inflatables guide → designbycurio.com/learn/ant-farm-inflatable-1968