The Roundhouse Down Under — A First!

Concrete ring poured — Australia’s first Monolithic Dome home was constructed by South Industries, Inc. of Menan, Idaho.

Concrete ring poured — Australia’s first Monolithic Dome home was constructed by South Industries, Inc. of Menan, Idaho.

Door and window buck placements — In April 2001, Tony traveled to Italy, Texas and participated in a Monolithic Dome Workshop, where he learned about the placement of openings in a dome.

Door and window buck placements — In April 2001, Tony traveled to Italy, Texas and participated in a Monolithic Dome Workshop, where he learned about the placement of openings in a dome.

Travelers may be welcome — Tony may operate this three-story dome as a bed and breakfast.

Travelers may be welcome — Tony may operate this three-story dome as a bed and breakfast.

A fast inflation — A reporter for the Ballan News, running just a few minutes late, missed the Airform inflation. It only took 20 minutes.

A fast inflation — A reporter for the Ballan News, running just a few minutes late, missed the Airform inflation. It only took 20 minutes.

Looking up  — This photo was taken looking up at 3 floors. The large opening became the double-door off the middle floor balcony.

Looking up — This photo was taken looking up at 3 floors. The large opening became the double-door off the middle floor balcony.

Chilly outside, not inside — This framing was done on freezing June days, but workers inside the Monolithic Dome found its environment mild and pleasant.

Chilly outside, not inside — This framing was done on freezing June days, but workers inside the Monolithic Dome found its environment mild and pleasant.

Nearly complete middle floor — While finishing the dome, Tony kept in touch with Monolithic who answered his questions and provided advice.

Nearly complete middle floor — While finishing the dome, Tony kept in touch with Monolithic who answered his questions and provided advice.

Top floor — Permanent windows will replace these temporary ones.

Top floor — Permanent windows will replace these temporary ones.

A tourist attraction — This Monolithic Dome home sits near a train depot in Ballan, Australia, where locals hope it will attract tourists.

A tourist attraction — This Monolithic Dome home sits near a train depot in Ballan, Australia, where locals hope it will attract tourists.

The Roundhouse — It includes 5 bedrooms (3 with adjoining shower and toilet, one with tub and toilet), 5 living areas, an office, a kitchen, laundry, storage and a 2-car garage.

The Roundhouse — It includes 5 bedrooms (3 with adjoining shower and toilet, one with tub and toilet), 5 living areas, an office, a kitchen, laundry, storage and a 2-car garage.

Always comfortable — Roundhouse has two gas heaters, one in the ground-floor living room and one in the middle-floor living room.

Always comfortable — Roundhouse has two gas heaters, one in the ground-floor living room and one in the middle-floor living room.

Cool design — Cooling is maintained by keeping doors and double-glazed windows closed, but top floor windows open to catch the breeze.

Cool design — Cooling is maintained by keeping doors and double-glazed windows closed, but top floor windows open to catch the breeze.