About the Dome

The Australian Academy of Science's Dome has been a Canberra landmark since its construction in 1959. Located on Gordon Street, it is the first building in Canberra to be included on the National Heritage List. 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 awards and citations
The Dome is heritage listed and has received several architectural awards.

Architectural drawings and plans
These materials, available in the Academy's Basser Library, are listed by topic and described.

Dome renovations
The Dome has been renovated with support from Professor John Shine and the Federation Fund.

History of the Dome
This brief history includes statistics and a list of original building contractors.

Order your copy of the
book on the history of
the Shine Dome

A big bold simple concept
Documents the design and construction of the Academy’s dome-shaped building in Canberra

Interview with Jack Deeble
The Academy's first executive secretary was interviewed by Professor Frank Fenner in 1999 about the design and construction of the Dome.

Register of the National Estate
Provides a statement of the Dome's historical and architectural significance.

Sir Otto Frankel's memoir
Sir Otto, who was on both the design and building committees for the Dome, wrote a personal memoir in 1970.

Sir Roy Grounds (1905-1981)
This biographical memoir about the Dome's architect was written by Sir Otto Frankel.

An inquisitive kookaburra (well, hot air balloon really) eyes the Dome.