Historical information

The Shine Dome is one of seven projects that the Royal Australian Institute of Architects has nominated to the World Register of Significant Twentieth Century Architecture. In 1956 six architects were invited to submit plans for the Academy of Science's new building in Canberra and the Academy's building design committee selected Grounds Romberg and Boyd's proposal designed by Roy Grounds. It features a shallow arcaded concrete dome, sheeted in copper and was one of a number of domed buildings that appeared around this time internationally, expressing the optimism of the post-war years. It perfectly reflected the Academy's ambition to champion excellence in Australian science and promote international scientific engagement. Paul Wallace, a well-known Melbourne renderer, drew this perspective of the proposed design, possibly for the competition submission, in 1956.

Physical description

Coloured perspective of the Academy of Science buiding in Canberra.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed text on attached sticker, 'ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, CANBERRA / 1958 / Grounds, Romberg and Boyd, / Architects'. Printed centre on verso, 'ACADEMY OF SCIENCE CANBERRA GROUND, ROMBERG AND BOYD ARCHITECTS 340 ALBERT STE., MELBOURNE C2'.