Shelter Systems is an independently owned business dedicated to creating environmentally sound, low impact, portable shelters tents and greenhouses. We manufacture a wide range of Tensegrity and Geodesic structures. Our portable shelters have protected people around the world for over 30 years by providing shelter in all types of conditions. Our greenhouse line has resulted from the blending of business with lifestyle. More. A newspaper artical about Bob Gillis, Eleanor Hamner and the history of Shelter Systems.

Bob Gillis, owner of Shelter Systems and inventor of the Grip Clip tarp and tent fastener, has a long history of design in the tent industry, licensing tents to The North Face, Sierra Designs, Mountain Hardware, Marmot, and others. He has been granted 18 U.S. patents, from structural concepts to the molded clips used in the construction of Shelter Systems' dome, yurt, tent and greenhouse structures.

Bob revolutionized the tent industry in 1976 by designing the first geodesic backpacking tent, The Oval Intention, using tensegrity design principles. Almost all of the backpacking tents using flexed poles that you see on the market are covered by Bob Gillis' patents.     

Eleanor Hamner, Shelter Systems Business Manager since 2005
She handles the many day-to-day details that keep Shelter Systems running and being the owner/designer's daughter means she has a lifetime of Shelter Systems knowledge and family dedication to the company.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and children. Her hobbies include running, rock climbing, cooking, and elaborate baking projects.
  

Jeffrey Devitt has been Production Manager for Shelter Systems for over 15 years. He is an avid outdoorsman and his attention to detail is unmatched.

Jorma Rodieck creates the web pages for Shelter Systems and Grip Clips. Jorma has lived in Santa Cruz, CA, for the last eight years, where he surfs and SCUBA dives in his free time. You can see some more of Jorma's work at his web site www.jorma.com

Jesse Smith has been working with Shelter Systems for two years. Currently a 3rd year student and intern at the Five Branches Institute, receiving a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine. He has worked for five years in the outdoor industry and is a competitive cyclist, and an avid surfer and climber. He has lived in Santa Cruz for 10 years.

Amethyst Gillis is working with Shelter Systems creating web pages, writing product user manuals, making dome prototypes, and field testing domes. Amethyst has a masters degree in global health sciences and is working on her PhD in cell biology. She is also an avid backpacker, beekeeper, and is training for her black belt in aikido. See more about Amethyst at www.amethystgillis.com

Home Sweet Dome: A 20' Yurt Dome with Liner located where Shelter Systems was created