The second design project of first year was drastically different to the first, with the brief being to design an observatory, in the broadest sense, on the Caldera de los Cuervos, a volcano in Lanzarote. This was the location of our study trip, and the whole island is a really spectacular landscape with its volcanic past. Also the architect César Manrique's work across the island was really inspiring, particularly how he used the landscape to the architecture's advantage.
Pencil Site Plan and Sections
Site Photos
After visiting the caldera, we undertook a 'land study' and a 'sky study'. In my land study I investigated the sediment shapes, sizes and colours in and around the caldera. In the sky study I looked at the constellations that were visible from the caldera at all the hours in every month of the year, particularly focusing on ones associated with meteor showers.
Pen Concept Section and Site Strategy
So from these studies the resultant concept and strategy emerged. A collection of interconnected, partially submerged domes, each framing a different constellation at the time in the year when they have meteor showers. The dome form was selected, partially for the panoramic views a glass one could offer, but also inspired by the land study where at a large scale they mirror the visual of sediment. The connecting underground tunnels are to create minimal impact on the landscape whilst enhancing the experience of viewing the night sky from one of the domes that was accessed from underground.
Pencil Site Sections
Papier Mache and PVA Domes in a Card Topography Site Model
