We are curious beings; wanting to explore and learn led us to understand the unknown skies. The earliest written records of these observations can be traced to 1600 B.C. The Babylonians studied and created records of star positions, planets, and eclipses.
This study and sense of exploration quickly grew into more practical tools. Monitoring the motion of stars and planets became the primary means of navigation and time tracking. Human history has witnessed major celestial events which even might have changed the course of history.
Cultures throughout time have gazed up, wondering and questioning our place in the universe. This intense fascination resulted in the invention of telescopes to see the unseen.
Since then, the history of astronomical observations has evolved into philosophy, literature, and different branches of science.
The nocturnal sky is sublime and inaccessible. When looking at it, we experience the most ancient sensation. The increase in public participation to experience this sensation is also a credit to it being a segment of sustainable tourism, as there is no damage to any form of resources.
People travel short or long distances to observe and enjoy the dark sky. Can we provide places of experience to act as a window to the stars?
If yes, then can we make these visits more worthy and comfortable? Can we create observation spaces that act as temporary habitats while maintaining the crux of the activity?
Brief: The aim of the competition is to create an observatory pavilion for night sky seekers.
Design a prototype that can be placed anywhere and replicated all over the site.
Design objectives
Materials: Use of sustainable material and explore its relationship with the site.
Explore: Experiment with spaces of primary functions.
Refuge: Take into account functions required for a temporary stay.
Maintain Services and maintenance after the visit and when not in use.
The above objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants have to design a 20 sq.m. pavilion, modules of the same size and design can be marked and replicated on the site are given below. They are free to assume their contexts and users before initiating the design process.
Awards:- Prize pool of worth 24000$
The prize pool is dependent on the total number of registrations received. Please check the awards and fees section to learn more about it. There will be a total of 100 (20%) entries that will be shortlisted for the final awards. All the shortlisted entries will be entitled to e-certificates.
Deadline:- 15-02-2022
Entry Fees:- Registration starts: 40.00 USD Free with UNI Membership