Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, has today announced Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School and two other innovative bubble-shape structures, known as Binishells, will be listed on the NSW Government’s State Heritage Register.

The Binishell Collection is a set of three buildings constructed as part of the NSW Public Works Binishell Program, initiated to respond to the sudden spike in the student population in the early 1970’s.

Mr Henskens said the landmark ‘space-age’ dome is a rare example of the NSW Binishell Collection and an important reminder of architectural innovation in school infrastructure.

“The Ku-ring-gai Binishell is an icon for both Ku-ring-gai High School and the broader community. With community support, the Binishell will now be recognised as a State Heritage item”.

“Since 1975, this unique piece of infrastructure has been loved and well used by the school and broader community and will now be preserved for generations to come”, Mr Henskens said.

Minister for the Arts, Don Harwin, said “remarkably, the construction process used concrete poured over steel and an inflatable membrane to provide learning spaces in only 14 days.”

The Binishell Collection (NSW Department of Education) to be added to the State Heritage Register comprises of:

• The 36-metre dome at Ku-ring-gai Creative Arts High School;
• A double dome Library at Narrabeen North Public School; and
• The Library Binishell at Ashbury Public School.

Designed by celebrated Italian Architect Dante Bini, who patented the revolutionary system of constructing reinforced concrete domes, the Binishells were economical, fast and labour efficient to build.