File:BiniShell.jpg

English: See other views of this building here: www.flickr.com/search/?q=binishellkps

This is an external view of the main entrance to the Bini shell complex of the KillarneyHeights Public School. Constructed in the early 1970s, it was originally used as a library and now serves as a general purpose meeting room and indoor sporting venue for gymnastics. Due to the low hanging pendant lights and glass windows it is not suited for other sporting uses.

From the offical website of the Binishell construction system:

"This patented method of construction, in approx. 60-120 minutes, produces circular-based, monolithic, reinforced concrete shell structures, with elliptical section, ranging in size from 12 to 40 meters in diameter. Over 1,500 buildings are in use in 23 Countries."

It was devised by Dr. Dante N. Bini, and in the 1970s the New South Wales Department of Public Works used this construciton method to create spaces in many public school. Here is the offical brochure:

www.binisystems.com/nswcover.html

and a quote from the brochure:

"The major advantages of the Binishell system are speed of construction and minimized use of labour and materials resources, which make possible economies in capital construction costs.

The concept of the dome, with its uninterrupted floor area, offered considerable advantages in providing educational needs in multi-purpose centres within schools, and libraries in primary schools."