Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Observatory
Observatory
Springdale, AR, United States
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
View Original
Add To Collection
Add to Collection
Other Projects by Steven Jones Architect
Observatory
Springdale, AR, United States
Type
YEAR
2004
SIZE
0 sqft - 1000 sqft
BUDGET
$10K - 50K
Located in Northwest Arkansas, the 144 square foot private Observatory was constructed for an amateur astronomer as a functional and unique space for viewing the day and night sky. Unlike the domed structures of major observatories, some amateur astronomers create observatories by building a shed with a roof that slides off to the open sky. Where a dome establishes an enclosed space that sees the sky through a narrow opening, the shed observatory has a sense of enclosure with the advantage of seeing the total sky above.
The observatory was placed on the site to be within walking distance of the residence and far enough up the hillside to allow the hill itself to block the lights from any development to the west. Due to the light pollution from the city to the northeast, a taller wall was required to screen it. This became the basis for the design, a tall northeast screen wall with sloping sidewalls that open up the majority of the viewing to the southwest.
Concept
The basic program called for an enclosure constructed with simple, ready available materials to house the astronomer’s 25 power x 150-millimeter binoculars. These materials can be found in any home improvement store, but when used in different ways, they can make a structure distinctive. The corrugated PVC wall panels add a sense of lightness and color to the structure. During the day their transparency shows how the observatory is constructed and at night allows the building to glow like a lantern to signify that the astronomer is working. The glowing effect enables the astronomer to see at night while keeping the eyes adapted to the dark when moving between observatory, observation decks, and storage.
The roof is composed of residential standing seam metal roof panels and uses standard garage door hardware and spring to open and close.
Finish grade plywood is used on the interior and exterior. The interior panels are raised off the floor to allow for a 3” gap that provides red light from the walls to filter into the enclosure. By lighting the floor the occupant can see to walk and to pick up accidentally dropped equipment.
Along with the lighting the color accentuates the dynamic form. The typical dome or shed observatory is preconceived as a static form used only at night. This Observatory is also used for solar observation and will be seen throughout the day. Its form stimulates the imagination with emotion and movement, as it seems to take off and soar to the sky. The color of the corrugated panels symbolizes the sky, while the yellow reflects the sun and the color of the autumn grass. In contrast the gray of the exterior plywood panels and roof panels represent the clouds after a storm front has passed signifying clearer skies.
The observatory was placed on the site to be within walking distance of the residence and far enough up the hillside to allow the hill itself to block the lights from any development to the west. Due to the light pollution from the city to the northeast, a taller wall was required to screen it. This became the basis for the design, a tall northeast screen wall with sloping sidewalls that open up the majority of the viewing to the southwest.
Concept
The basic program called for an enclosure constructed with simple, ready available materials to house the astronomer’s 25 power x 150-millimeter binoculars. These materials can be found in any home improvement store, but when used in different ways, they can make a structure distinctive. The corrugated PVC wall panels add a sense of lightness and color to the structure. During the day their transparency shows how the observatory is constructed and at night allows the building to glow like a lantern to signify that the astronomer is working. The glowing effect enables the astronomer to see at night while keeping the eyes adapted to the dark when moving between observatory, observation decks, and storage.
The roof is composed of residential standing seam metal roof panels and uses standard garage door hardware and spring to open and close.
Finish grade plywood is used on the interior and exterior. The interior panels are raised off the floor to allow for a 3” gap that provides red light from the walls to filter into the enclosure. By lighting the floor the occupant can see to walk and to pick up accidentally dropped equipment.
Along with the lighting the color accentuates the dynamic form. The typical dome or shed observatory is preconceived as a static form used only at night. This Observatory is also used for solar observation and will be seen throughout the day. Its form stimulates the imagination with emotion and movement, as it seems to take off and soar to the sky. The color of the corrugated panels symbolizes the sky, while the yellow reflects the sun and the color of the autumn grass. In contrast the gray of the exterior plywood panels and roof panels represent the clouds after a storm front has passed signifying clearer skies.
Product Spec Sheet
Were your products used?
Join as a manufacturer to add your products.