Looking at domes from our our countries, there are two from Australia that stick in my mind. Both are not domes in their true sense, but are segments of domes.
The first is the Atrium dome at IXL Art Hotel in Hobart (Morris-Nunn + Associates, 2004). The curved glass roof is formed from a very flat dome, and is cut square to fit over the courtyard. The primary structure consists of relatively small laminated timber gridded framework, complemented by a steel wire tensioning system. This enables the roof to provide maximum light penetration, while keeping the visual weight to a minimum.
The second is one that everyone should be familiar with, the Sydney Opera House by Yorn Utzon, 1973. The primary shell structure consists of a series of vaulted shells, that take their curvature from a single sphere. Different sized portions and angles of placement create the variation within the overall building. Consisting of a pre-cast concrete panels, the form was easily divisible, allowing or easier and most cost effective construction fabrication.
Interestingly, division of the surface is not triangulated. The tiling systems was developed in sheets, allowing for them to be fabricated at ground level and placed in large pieces, rather than individually placed at height.
