The Shine Dome

An internationally recognised Canberra landmark since its construction in 1959, the Shine Dome has received numerous awards and is one of seven projects the Royal Australian Institute of Architects has nominated to the World Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.
Image Description
Shine Dome aerial with city background

The Australian Academy of Science's Shine Dome and its custom-designed furniture were created to reflect the inquiring and innovative nature of science. It was the first Canberra building to be added to the National Heritage List, for its historical and architectural significance.

Over the decades, the Dome has captured imaginations and inspired the authorship of a number of memoirs. The book, ‘A big, bold, simple concept’, was commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the Dome's construction. It documents the design and construction of the Academy’s dome-shaped building in Canberra.
Aerial Shine Dome May 2015 Credit Adi Chopra

About the Shine Dome

A Canberra landmark since its construction in 1959, the Shine Dome has received numerous awards and is one of seven projects the Royal Australian Institute of Architects has nominated to the World Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture.
Architectural render of the Academy of Science

History of the Shine Dome

Completed in 1959 and reflecting some of the more adventurous architectural ideas of that time, the Shine Dome (previously known as Becker House) remains one of the most unusual buildings in Australia.
Shine Dome blueprint

Shine Dome architecture

Although the original citation is not available, the following information is taken from Andrew Metcalf's book, Architecture in transition – The Sulman Award 1932-1966, with permission of the author.