The building was conceived as and remains the conference hub of the Australian Academy of Science and contains a 150-seat lecture hall, as well as numerous other meeting, archive and storage rooms.

Shine Dome has become a well-known Canberra landmark and was the capital’s first building to be added to the National Heritage List, for its historical and architectural significance.

The notable structure, with its 45.75m diameter dome was colloquially referred to as “The Martian Embassy”, an allusion to its shape and the fact that as the capital of Australia, Canberra is the home of foreign embassies.

The domed roof, walls and structure combined, dive down beneath the still water of its moat to give the sense that it is floating. From the walkway between the moat and the inner walls, the arches provide a 360° panoramic sequence of 16 views of the capital city and the hills beyond.

This academic research project includes content, images and links from a wide range of online sources including: The Australian Academy of Science, Capital J Plan Printing & Photography Co.Pty. Ltd,  Australian National University, Archimarathon, Australian Society for Ultrasound Medicine, Bohdee Media, Impressions Property Styling, National Portrait Gallery of Australia, National Film and Sound Archive, Flickr, the Sydney Morning Herald, Victorian Collections and our own digital team.

Developed by the RBF Digital Team, in collaboration with Australian Academy of Science and Canberra Modern, the Shine Dome 3D tour is generously supported by the Alastair Swayn Foundation, Arup and Phoria.

Header Image: ARC Roofing; Card Image: Elite Event Technology