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Explore our dome storiesThe State Library of Victoria invites you to celebrate the centenary of its iconic dome
Since 1913 the Library's domed reading room has been the symbolic heart of our great institution. Celebrate the scholarship, creativity and learning this architectural icon has inspired for generations of Victorians. Learn more
Frank Gargano is a senior associate and structural engineer with engineering firm Arup. He specialises in the design and analysis of building structures, and was one of the lead engineers of the dome refurbishment.
The thing about the dome is that if you say to someone ‘I’ll meet you at the library’, everyone knows it and everybody knows the dome itself. Melbourne has got four or five really great old buildings, to me the dome is one of the greatest spaces there is.
Arches and domes have been around since the beginning: the Pantheon in Rome, St Peter’s Basilica. There are lots of great cathedrals that have domes but some are almost completely solid and might only have a lantern or a tiny bit of light right up the very top. Our dome is fully glazed – it’s light, you can see outside it.
As an engineer, the biggest challenge was analysing and understanding how that actually works. It’s a dome and so it relies on arching to restrain the forces – but what actually takes them? The supporting vertical load (gravity) is easy to understand, it’s the walls. But at the very top, because of the shape of it, there are some thrust forces. I imagine the force coming down the face of the arch itself; ultimately it has to be resisted.
We found the answer as we climbed the cast-iron spiral staircases out onto the annular, from there we could get outside onto the roof at the base of the dome itself. From that vantage we could see there are eight external buttresses that actually do the restraining for the dome; that’s what provides the structural integrity. It’s very unusual.
My understanding is that there was some concern over whether the dome should be kept, back in the ’50s.
I suspect it was questioned because people couldn’t understand it.
Seeing it restored to its former glory and seeing people use it – looking up in awe, seeing that space returned to what it was originally meant to be – is fantastic. It’s absolutely full of light now.
Discover why people are so passionate about this iconic Library space.
Read some of our 100+ memories, anecdotes and interviews...
Explore our dome storieshamishcurry: Special 'Dome Centenary' Fellowships on offer at @library_vic http://t.co/e1pet62a
We want to be a catalyst for generating new knowledge and ideas, and a place where all Victorians can discover, learn, create and connect.
Find out more about our strategic visionOur Free, secular and democratic image gallery features highlights from the exhibition
View the image gallerySee 100 readers read 100 seconds of their favourite book in the dome.
Watch 100 readers on our YouTube channelBrowse Readings at the Library for exclusive dome-related merchandise that reproduces beautiful items from our collection.
Visit Readings at the Library