Observatory
An overview of projects, products and exclusive articles about observatory
Project • By TANAT • Private Houses
Casa Ínsula
Arid CausticsMérida knows how to devour itself, especially when we look away for a while.
At times comes the wish that this place might stay just as it is—windowless, unfurnished, ready to take another course, a less domesticated one, where rain finally floods it, where plants silently pierce the floor and claim the walls, and where, in a couple of years or half a lifetime, birds begin sharing the space in shifts with a family of bats, until falling drops carve the limestone and reach the water below.
Alejandro Ramírez Orozco
Alejandro Ramírez Orozco
Alejandro Ramírez Orozco
Does a house end when it’s inhabited, or when it’s named? For now, this space remains open to what it mig... More
News • News • 31 Aug 2023
Snøhetta composes a cosmic symphony in Orionis, a new planetarium and observatory in northern France
Snohetta introduces Orionis, a new cultural destination in Douai, France. Encompassing a planetarium and observatory, the design exudes an elliptical form, drawing cues from the movement of stars.
Nestled on a prime site between the Scarpe River, an archaeological museum Arkéos and a nearby residential complex, Orionis strives to seamlessly link the various facets, fostering an inclusive and stimulating environment for its users. The design concept presents a cohesive structure characterized by curves that gracefully envelope the twin domes housing the observatory and projection room.
Jad Sylla
Jad Sylla
Crafted through a close collaboration involving CET Ingénierie, Impact Conseil et Ingénierie, Cic... More
Project • By Studio Frank Havermans • Rural
KAPKAR / TO-RXD | Landscape Observatory
Time, architecture and transformation. A look at the result after ten years of patience.
René de Wit
In the gently rolling Brabant landscape in the Netherlands just to the west of Sint-Oedenrode lies the hamlet of Rijsingen. Close by, at a spot where the Dommel River has cut through the sandy soil since time immemorial, stands the KAPKAR/ TO-RXD landscape observatory, built in 2009. It forms part of a hiking trail that starts in the village centre and leads into the farmland around the settlement.
René de Wit
In 2009 Studio Frank Havermans developed a special tree bark casting. The skin of the concrete is coarse and rough like the nearby trees. A feature of this is the bark, left behind in the concrete after the fo... More
Project • By Prentiss Balance Wickline Architects • Housing
Tongass Ledge
Tongass Ledge sits gently perched over the Alaskan shore. Overlooking inlet waters and balanced at the edge of a rock wall, two volumes at a subtle angle capture the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. For a busy client who splits time between Seattle and Ketchikan, the complete design required a simple form and program, personalized through highly custom interiors. Standing at the edge of the vibrant Tongass Narrows, the Ledge is the perfect lookout for a nature lover.
Andrew Pogue
Tongass Ledge’s geometry is defined by two tall shed roof structures with a connector between them. This figurative knuckle serves as the main entry to the home and connects the private and public spaces with an outdoor deck. The front d... More
News • News • 19 Feb 2023
HED completes the Frankel Detroit Observatory extension
The second oldest building to exist on the campus of the University of Michigan, the Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory, was the first scientific research laboratory within the premises. The new renovation and addition were undertaken by HED architects to pay homage to the university’s history and encourage exploration and knowledge sharing.
Jason Keen
The lack of amenities and inaccessibility of the building due to its dramatic hill setting posed a decrease in its visitors to only 350 per year, leading to significant underutilisation of the facility. The new 7000sqf addition comprises a multifunctional classroom and street-level access to the facility.
Jason Keen
The new addition is an exampl... More
News • News • 31 Jan 2023
Benchakitti Rainforest Observatory by HAS provides a bridge between the people, nature and the city of Bangkok
In the heart of Bangkok, Benchakitti Rainforest Observatory by HAS Design and Research provides an architectural platform to promote green spaces within the city and encourage people to connect with natural environments.
Rungkit Charoenwat
Surrounded by vast wetlands and various trees comprising a rich ecology of flowers, insects and birds, the design seeks to make architecture a part of nature, presenting itself as a gift to the citizens.
Rungkit Charoenwat
Drawing inspiration from the site, the observatory resembles a juxtaposition of several leaves, giving the perception of a floating wetland island and providing visitors with an opportunity to see diverse animals and plants in a single habitat.
R... More
Project • By HED • Research Facilities
Frankel Detroit Observatory Addition
The Judy and Stanley Frankel Detroit Observatory is the second-oldest extant building on The University of Michigan’s campus and the university’s first dedicated scientific research laboratory. While the original 1854 structure was given much care and attention in a 1999 restoration, its dramatic top-of-the-hill siting, challenging accessibility, and lack of amenities continued to present issues for utilizing this historic gem to meet the university’s needs. With only about 350 visitors per year, the Observatory remained significantly underutilized.
Jason Keen
Jason Keen
Working with the university, HED shaped the addition to provide a memorable, easily accessed event experience where students, faculty, and the... More
Project • By EvoSpace • Private Houses
Private Observatory @Bazaleti
We present our newly finished Private Property (@Bazaleti, Georgia). This property includes a modern private house with private observatory buildung with moving roof.
Living house measurments are 36mX10M and observatory is 14mX5m.
Living house interior is modern, with some loft details, but main concept of interior is LESS IS MORE.
Property is equipped with digital smart technologies (such as lighting, alarms, cameras and heating systems)
Architecture was made with our partner architecture company InStudio.
Buildings main materils are: Concrete, Glass and metal with some wooden furniture details. More
Project • By 3deluxe • Cultural Centres
Mleiha Desert Observatory
Observation building for the Mleiha NationalDesert Park in SharjahUncompromising architecture for extreme conditions: In one of the hottest places on Earth, in the middle of Sharjah’s untouched desert, 3deluxe is implementing an expressive building. On the ridge of the Jebel Fayah mountain range, a lookout architecture including an observatory as well as a natural history exhibition are being planned. Approximately one hour’s drive from Sharjah, capital of the Arab Emirate of the same name, a national park with numerous archaeological and scenic attractions is emerging. One the most significant excavation sites with finds from the Bronze Age is located around the settlements of Mleiha. The sustainable tourism project of... More
Project • By SPF:architects • Cultural Centres
The Anaheim Performing Arts Center (APAC)
SPF:architects (SPF:a), an award-winning studio based in Culver City, has released new renderings of their design for the Anaheim Performing Arts Center (APAC), located in Anaheim, California. The images reveal the complete scheme of the $500 million, 500,000-square-foot cultural campus, which is anticipated to become a world-class destination for the performing arts.APAC will replace Anaheim’s City National Grove, introducing an 11-acre program defined by three theatres—a 2,000-seat concert hall, a 1,700-seat opera hall, a 600-seat black box theatre—and a museum tower with observatory set upon 24-foot podium. The site will also incorporate an outdoor amphitheater, two restaurants, office space, a convention hall, and lecture room... More