---
title: IMI, National Geographic and the Great Cathedral Mystery
description: IMI National Training Director Robert Arnold along with other IMI staff were sponsored by National Geographic to help construct a scaled down version of Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, Italy for a program on the engineering of the world's largest brick dome.
image: https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/file-2553751812-jpg/Images/duomo-cardedit-300x225.jpg
---

[![IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png?width=174&height=34&name=IMI_logo_primary_forweb_ret_400.png)](https://www.imiweb.org/)

- BUILDING SOLUTIONS 
    - SOLUTIONS 
          - [New Construction](https://www.imiweb.org/new-construction/)
          - [Restoration](https://www.imiweb.org/restoration/)
    - NEW CONSTRUCTION ASSEMBLIES 
          - [Brick](https://www.imiweb.org/new-brick-construction/)
          - [Concrete](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-construction/)
          - [Concrete Masonry Units](https://www.imiweb.org/new-concrete-masonry-construction/)
          - [Plaster, Stucco, & EIFS](https://www.imiweb.org/new-plaster-stucco-eifs-construction/)
          - [Rainscreen](https://www.imiweb.org/new-rainscreen-construction/)
          - [Stone](https://www.imiweb.org/new-stone-construction/)
          - [Terrazzo](https://www.imiweb.org/new-terrazzo-construction/)
          - [Tile](https://www.imiweb.org/new-tile-construction/)
    - RESTORATION ASSEMBLIES 
          - [Brick](https://www.imiweb.org/brick-restoration/)
          - [Concrete](https://www.imiweb.org/concrete-restoration/)
          - [Plaster](https://www.imiweb.org/plaster-restoration/)
          - [Stucco](https://www.imiweb.org/stucco-restoration/)
          - [Stone](https://www.imiweb.org/stone-restoration/)
          - [Terra Cotta](https://www.imiweb.org/terra-cotta-restoration/)
          - [Terrazzo](https://www.imiweb.org/terrazzo-restoration/)
          - [Tile](https://www.imiweb.org/tile-restoration/)
    - SEGMENTS 
          - [Cultural and Civic](https://www.imiweb.org/cultural-civic/)
          - [Higher Education](https://www.imiweb.org/higher-education/)
          - [Multifamily Residential](https://www.imiweb.org/multifamily-residential/)
          - [Healthcare](https://www.imiweb.org/healthcare/)
          - [K-12 Education](https://www.imiweb.org/k-12-education/)
          - [Retail and Hospitality](https://www.imiweb.org/retail-and-hospitality/)
- SERVICES & TECHNICAL RESOURCES 
    - SERVICES 
          - [Architect, Engineer, & Designer Services](https://www.imiweb.org/designer-services/)
          - [Contractor Services](https://www.imiweb.org/contractor-services/)
          - [Specification Services](https://www.imiweb.org/specification-language/)
    - RESOURCES & TOOLS 
          - [Detailing Series](https://www.imiweb.org/detailing-series/)
          - [Software & Design Aids](https://www.imiweb.org/software-and-design-aids/)
- EDUCATION & TRAINING 
    - EDUCATION FOR AEC PROFESSIONALS 
          - [A/E Webinars & Education](https://www.imiweb.org/ae-education/)
          - [Contractor Webinars & Education](https://www.imiweb.org/contractor-education/)
    - TRAINING FOR CRAFTWORKERS 
          - [About IMTEF](https://imtef.org/)
          - [Become an Apprentice](https://imtef.org/careers/)
          - [Find a Local Training Center](https://imtef.org/imtef-training-directory/)
          - [Health & Safety Training](https://imtef.org/safety-health/)
          - [International Training Center](https://imtef.org/national-training-center/)
    - INSTALLER CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS 
          - [Adhered Masonry Veneer Program](https://www.imiweb.org/adhered-masonry-veneer-program/)
          - [Advanced Certifications in Tile](https://www.imiweb.org/advanced-certifications-in-tile/)
          - [Flashing Upgrade Training Program](https://www.imiweb.org/flashing-upgrade/)
          - [Grouting and Reinforcing Training](https://www.imiweb.org/grouting-reinforcing-training/)
          - [Historic Masonry Preservation Certificate Program](https://www.imiweb.org/historic-masonry-preservation-certificate/)
          - [Rainscreen Certificate Program](https://www.imiweb.org/rainscreen-certificate-program/)
          - [Supervisor Certification Program](https://www.imiweb.org/supervisor-certification-program/)
          - [Terra Cotta Installation and Repair Program](https://www.imiweb.org/terra_cotta_installation_and_repair_program/)
- ABOUT IMI 
    - ABOUT IMI 
          - [About IMI](https://www.imiweb.org/about/)
          - [Team IMI](https://www.imiweb.org/team-imi/)
          - [News](https://info.imiweb.org/blog)
          - [Contact IMI](https://www.imiweb.org/contact/)
    - PROGRAMS & AWARDS 
          - [BAC/IMI International Apprentice Contest](https://imtef.org/iac/)
          - [JBC Masonry Innovation Competition](https://www.imiweb.org/jbcaward/)
          - [Masonry Camp](https://www.imiweb.org/imi-masonry-camp/)
- [CONTACT](https://www.imiweb.org/imicontact/)
- ![](https://imiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/icn-search-nav.png)

![HEADER_Contact1.jpg](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mosaicprint_img/HEADER_Contact1.jpg?width=2000&name=HEADER_Contact1.jpg "HEADER_Contact1.jpg")

# International Masonry Institute News

![HEADER_Contact1.jpg](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/mosaicprint_img/HEADER_Contact1.jpg?width=2000&name=HEADER_Contact1.jpg "HEADER_Contact1.jpg")

# International Masonry Institute News

[February 05, 2014](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/imi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery)

[Leave a comment](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/imi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery#comments-listing)

[Masonry Partition Wall Design](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/masonry-partition-wall-design) [Building with Masonry for Fire Safety](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/building-with-masonry-for-fire-safety)

# IMI, National Geographic and the Great Cathedral Mystery

![duomo-cardedit-300x225](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/file-2553751812-jpg/Images/duomo-cardedit-300x225.jpg) 

IMI National Training Director Robert Arnold along with other IMI staff were sponsored by National Geographic to help construct a scaled down version of Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, Italy for a program on the engineering of the world's largest brick dome. "NOVA's Great Cathedral Mystery" produced by National Geographic Television in association with Camera One Productions premieres on PBS February 12, 2014.

Click [HERE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba3pFuDFI_k) to see a promo of the show.

[![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=IMI%2C%20National%20Geographic%20and%20the%20Great%20Cathedral%20Mystery) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Finfo.imiweb.org%2Fblog%2Fimi-national-geographic-and-the-great-cathedral-mystery%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail)

Search

### Categories

- [Training (27)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/training)
- [Sustainable Design (23)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/sustainable-design)
- [Energy Efficiency (21)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/energy-efficiency)
- [Conferences and Events (16)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/conferences-and-events)
- [Tile (15)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/tile)
- [Apprenticeship (10)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/apprenticeship)
- [Structural Masonry (10)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/structural-masonry)
- [Historic Masonry Restoration (8)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/historic-masonry-restoration)
- [Instructor Certification Program (ICP) (8)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/instructor-certification-program-icp)
- [Masonry Camp (7)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/masonry-camp)
- [masonry (7)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/masonry)
- [Member Spotlight (6)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/member-spotlight)
- [JBC Masonry Innovation Competition (5)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/jbc-masonry-innovation-competition)
- [Stone (5)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/stone)
- [Apprentice Contest (4)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/apprentice-contest)
- [Building Code (4)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/building-code)
- [Project Feature (4)](https://info.imiweb.org/blog/topic/project-feature)

#### ![logo-ftr-1](https://info.imiweb.org/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-ftr-1.png?width=200&height=41&name=logo-ftr-1.png)

BAC/IMI International Training Center  
17101 Science Drive  
Bowie, MD 20715

[Privacy Policy​](https://imiweb.org/imi-privacy-policy/) | [Contact Us​](https://imiweb.org/contact-imi/)

**Related Organizations**

[International Masonry Training and Education Foundation](https://imtef.org/)  
[International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers](https://bacweb.org/)  
[International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers](https://www.icebac.org/)  
[Tile Contractors’ Association of America](https://www.tcaainc.org/)

### Sign up for updates from IMI

© International Masonry Institute. All Rights Reserved.