The Tasmanian capital is close to getting its own biodome structure, courtesy of the UK-based Eden Project, the home of the original biodome.

Based in a former clay pit in Cornwall and paid for by grant money from the Millennium Commission and European economic regeneration funds, the Eden Project is an educational charity that has been designed and built to explore how humans can work towards a better future.

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the massive ‘Biomes’ as the actual dome structures are called house the largest rainforest in captivity together with a massive variety of plants that serve as a backdrop to a range of contemporary gardens, summer concerts and year-round educational and family-themed events.

Recently, the Eden Project announced the formation of the Eden Project International – a concept has been designed to partner with similar organisations globally to deliver the biodome concept to localities across the world.

One of the chosen sites is set to be the Macquarie Point waterfront development in Hobart, where the biodome will be given what is being called an ‘Antarctic theme.’

According to the founder of the UK’s Eden Project and the chairman of its global counterpart Sir Tim Smit, the Tasmanian version is set to be as popular as the English version.

Speaking to Hobart’s Mercury newspaper last year, Smit said the project would not only be a huge attraction that would excite visitors, but it would also make them think differently about the world and environment around them.

“There will be a lot of science, there will be a lot of experimental stuff but ultimately what we are building is a scientific institution that rocks,” he said.

No date has yet been given for either the start or completion of the Hobart biodome project.