IMOA, International Museum of Astronomy | Kallikratis Evlogimenos

Competition Entry Antofagasta Region / Chile / 2014

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Astronomy. The study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole. Either as a branch of science or a hobby, it requires a level of isolation; a withdrawal from the worldly and the everyday life. Not only in terms of the skyglow over man-made environments, like cities, and the subsequent need to return to the countryside for clean sky, free of light pollution, but more importantly as an inner need; a desire to explore, to learn, to understand and to discover the truth, the unknown, the secrets of the universe and life. Although a passionate architect I admire the “romanticism” of astronomers and physicists who seek to comprehend our Cosmos. The location of the proposed International Museum of Astronomy is along Route 27, around 6 km from San Pedro town, in order to avoid light pollution as much as possible. The Museum is immersed in the ground of Chile, protected from the significant daily temperature fluctuations by the embrace of the Earth. It conceals in the majestic and alien-like scenery of Atacama Desert, in an effort to respect and blend in with the local environment instead of standing like a distinctive and competing man-made statement or landmark. After all, the earth is nothing more than another celestial object in someone else’s sky. The study of the sky is the study of the earth; the study of the sky is the study of our inner self; our own very existence. You have to hide from the worldly in order to observe the sky. Chile offers unique conditions for astronomical observations. By 2018 it is expected to constitute a major part of the global astronomical infrastructure. Specifically in the Atacama Desert, the sky is exceptionally clear and dry, almost throughout the year. Figures for the first six months of 2008 revealed a number of 33,403 visitors to San Pedro (around 1300 tourists per week). The aim of the project is to contribute to an increase in the world wide interest and the number of tourists to the area; therefore, being able to shelter around 200 visitors simultaneously at different activities in the IMOA considered being critical. The proposed scheme also promotes the use of the IMOA for international seminars and conventions. Descending to the entrance hall of the IMOA you leave our terrestrial world behind, for a glimpse to the outer space. The IMOA is the window to the extra-terrestrial. The concept behind the architecture of the interior spaces of the IMOA is to isolate or constrain views; the intention is to frame either the sky, the immediate mountains and the volcanos, or the terrain. The cafe-restaurant area, on the west of the entrance lobby is a prismatic volume that emerges from the ground, framing the Chilean sky on the one side and the Mountains and Volcanos on the other side. The long and narrow corridors of the IMOA direct the eyes towards the sky. The blue sky and the sun of the day or the starry sky of the Chilean nights that feels so low and close to you. As the long corridors are a transition space between defined spaces, the sun or the stars become your guide in the IMOA. The bright corridors during the day or the starry corridors at nights contradict with the dark functional spaces with confined views. You simply follow the light around the premises in order to find your way. At the far end of the corridors, stairs lead to small plateaus, 1.5m below ground level providing views to the Atacama Desert. The main corridor, along the North-South axis leads to the exhibition spaces, the amphitheatre, the planetarium, and the amateurs’ observation space, all centred around the projection space; an open space intended for interactivity and experimentation. It was considered important to propose open and spacious interiors that can be arranged and organized according to demands of different-seasonal activities. The exhibition spaces are narrow slanted prisms with reverse trapezoid openings towards the sky, like telescopes. At the far end of the exhibition spaces, the visitor has a view of the observatories and the enclosing shaft. The two observatories are accessed from the corridors. Their spherical geometry and pure white surface resembles moons rising from the ground. The visitor has the opportunity to experience the overwhelming mass of these spherical structures, standing at the bottom of the shafts that enclose each observatory. The planetarium which also shares a spherical geometry is encircled by an amphitheatrically inclined garden that resembles the gravitational field of celestial objects and the distortion of the space-time. The open observatory space is designated for amateur astronomers who want to observe the sky with their own equipment. The observatory rises like a stairway to the stars, invoking the architecture of local civilizations. The whole complex actually makes a reference to the enigmatic and monumental architecture of the Inca's and other civilizations of South America. On the north side of the entrance hall and the lobby there is a two storey construction with staff rooms and toilets in the lower level, as well as administrative offices and meeting rooms in the upper level. These spaces provide views to the enclosing inclined garden in the north, with trees providing shade during the hot and sunny days. The two inclined gardens are like small oases that surround IMOA (similarly to the oasis that gives life to San Pedro town) intended for relaxation, small walks and outfield talks, consistence to the general philosophy of the museum to provide a space where people have the opportunity to enhance knowledge and share experiences. Finally, in terms of sustainability, the IMOA could make use of underground heating pipe system for heating and cooling, and solar energy for the electrical demands. The weather conditions in the Atacama Desert favour solar power systems as it is one of the driest places on earth with minimal cloud cover throughout the year. The design of the proposed spaces of IMOA also facilitates passive ventilation and cooling, as an effective method in addition to the mechanical ventilation systems.
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    Astronomy. The study of celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole. Either as a branch of science or a hobby, it requires a level of isolation; a withdrawal from the worldly and the everyday life. Not only in terms of the skyglow over man-made environments, like cities, and the subsequent need to return to the countryside for clean sky, free of light pollution, but more importantly as an inner need; a desire to explore, to learn, to understand and to discover the truth, the...

    Project details
    • Year 2014
    • Status Competition works
    • Type Multi-purpose Cultural Centres / Museums / Conference Centres / Pavilions / Exhibitions /Installations
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