The Lunar Observatory House

Idea projektu

The goal was to design is a house with an astronomical observatory that would encouraage people to look at the night sky and bring awareness to the problem of light pollution, which affects the environment, our health and every other being. In the era of lights it is easy to forget that the shadows and darkness are as equally important as light. Over the years, the amount of lights has increased dramatically and in most cities it is nearly impossible to see the stars at night. People rarely look up at the night sky and pay attention to pale spots of stars on the greyish surface of the sky. What we notice while looking at the night sky is the most visible point - the moon and therefore the changes of its shape. The lunar cycle has become an inspiration of this project, as the moon phases are determined by the shadow of Earth casted on the Moon surface.

Popis projektu

The Lunar Observatory House is located within area of Ostoja Ciemnego Nieba, Izdebno i Chalin, Poland. It is one of the three places in the country, where the night sky is protected by law and the street lights are dimmed at night. It gives the opportunity to see the unpolluted starry sky, making it the perfect location for a house with observatory and with no artificial lights. The house is designed to reflect moon phases on the outside, as well as inside. The curved shape of the roof is related to sun path in different seasons and allows sun to cast shadows that mimic the lunar cycle. In the beginning of the day, the whole roof is covered with shadow. As the sun slowly goes up, the shadow on the roof starts to fade gradually, fully disappearing at midday. By the end of the day, the roof is in shadow back again. The rhythm of shadows inside the building also reflects the lunar phases and is adapted to people’s natural circadian rhythm. The windows let the light in, while the columns between them cast shadows wide and long shadows in the morning. Until midday, the shadows grow thinner and shorter, and the light begins to expand, slowly introducing people into the day. Afterwards, the shadows widen yet again, preparing people for the upcoming night. The cycle ends, but it will start the next day. The house is divided into two zones - daytime and nighttime, connected by a spacious hall with an entrance to the courtyard. The nighttime zone is directly connected to a private astronomical observatory upstairs.

Technické informace

The house is built with reinforced concrete and has a curved roof and large glass surfaces, combining solid construction with a sense of openness and light. The observatory construction is based on metal ring which allows allows the upper part to rotate, therefore making it open to each different view of the night sky. The observatory’s steel construction rests on a motorized turntable system, enabling smooth and controlled movement.