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nearly all cultures have their own way of watching and inter-
preting the stars. even every person has its own notion about
the sky objects. as different the universe surrounding us is,
as different is every persons life (left). everybody has his / her
own connection to the sky, its meaning or importance.
on the one hand there is the scientific way of researching
outer space, on the other hand there is a more intuitive way of
experiencing stars.
“surely a man needs a closed place wherein he may strike
root and, like the seed, become. But also he needs the great
milky Way above him and the vast sea spaces, though neither
stars nor ocean serve his daily needs.”
antoine de saint-exupery (1900 - 1944)
as this stargazing tower is a part of a educational path /
school path the intuitive way of experiencing the night sky
becomes very important to the project. While the modern
world and its education system is mainly influenced by sci-
ence - what we think about is the truth - myths and intuitive
experiences about stars are pushed more and more into the
background. We nowadays often get taught during our school
time: science is the only truth. In fact, we know very little
about outer space.
to give people, especially children the change to develop
their individual way of thinking - being allowed to interpret
creatively their own visual experiences of constellations,
distances, bigness and dimensions - of the universe, the
traditional expression of protection, the norwegian roof was
taken and transformed to a frame, focusing to the night sky.
three different structures are drawing a straight line up to
the southern hemisphere - setting the sky though this formal
expression into the midpoint of this place in rindal.
In a structural way, this building is developed out of the
vikings longhouse. It is simplified to its basic shape, the tri-
angle, that it is stiff on itself. this very reduced shape creates
clarity, but also provides a great, free and protected space un-
derneath it. In a second step this free and open space is able
to change completely: hanging curtains down from the beams
should provide the possibility to open / close the structure
and separate different rooms (educational lectures, theatre,
exhibitions, …) from each other.
the two smaller structures provide space for sport or / and
work as a playground. they are a part of the new path leading
up to the main - stargazing structure.
sItePlan
concePt - PrIncIPal constructIon
sItesectIon