The Roundhouse Down Under — A First!
![](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b8c/medium/photo-on-2010-05-23-at-16-09.jpg)
![Concrete ring poured — Australia’s first Monolithic Dome home was constructed by South Industries, Inc. of Menan, Idaho.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b8d/medium/mypicture-46-1.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b8e/medium/photo-189.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b8f/medium/photo-317.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b90/medium/photo-180.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b91/medium/photo-267.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b92/medium/photo-308.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b88c29e068473000b93/medium/photo-343.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b89c29e068473000b94/medium/photo-430.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b89c29e068473000b95/medium/photo-319-1.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b89c29e068473000b96/medium/photo-299.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b89c29e068473000b97/medium/photo-on-2010-05-22-at-08-47.jpg)
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.](/vault/img/2011/05/10/4dc92b89c29e068473000b98/medium/photo-on-2010-05-27-at-10-24.jpg)
Cool design — Cooling is maintained by keeping doors and double-glazed windows closed, but top floor windows open to catch the breeze.