Gemma Observatory
GEMMA OBSERVATORY
Anmahian Winton Architects
ARCHITECTS
Anmahian Winton Architects
RAIL MECHANISM
Thk Metal
P E TECHNICAL MOTION ENGINEERS
Gillespie Corp. Rotating
BUILDERS
Scott Estabrooks
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
Rse, Associates, Inc. - Sofya Auren
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Patriots
MANUFACTURERS
Concentric Fabrication Llc, Foard Panels Inc. Quinn Brothers Iron, Sunbug Solar, Tresfort Metal Works
INSTALLERS
Crocker Architectural Sheet Metal Co., Inc.
AREA
2130 FT²
YEAR
2015
LOCATION
United States
CATEGORY
Planetarium
Text description provided by architect.
This private astronomical observatory is located on a remote mountain summit in central New Hampshire.
The site is characterized by granite outcroppings and is situated at the center of a three-mile radius “dark” landscape with very little light pollution to obstruct astronomical viewing.
Gemma’s design rejects a traditional dome in favor of a synthesized architectural form that maximizes usable space and responds to the stark geographic context.
Its continuously faceted shape reflects the surrounding landform, and terraced concrete platforms transition between the summit’s bedrock and the building foundation, knitting together natural and man-made landscapes.
An unconventional pattern of lock-seamed zinc cladding mediates between the irregular site topography and the building’s geometry, reflecting Gemma’s orientation to both geological and celestial landmarks.
Its dimension, color, and patina evoke a material relationship to the gray granite outcroppings, while its heat transfer capability facilitates sky observation by minimizing temperature differential distortion.
As a counterpoint to the exterior and its context, the interior is lined with fir plywood, creating a haven of refuge and warmth from the harsh surroundings.
The first floor is comprised of a research office, sleeping bunk, and warming room, and is super-insulated to prevent interior/exterior temperature differentials from creating heat eddies that would impede astronomical viewing.
A helical stair leads from the cantilevered entry canopy to a fissure in the cladding that opens onto the exterior observation deck.
Continuing, the stair arrives at the observatory’s primary viewing platform inside the faceted turret, its interior characterized by high ceilings, a larger telescope, and a camera array.
A single person can rotate this turret by hand with an assembly typically used in high-precision manufacturing facilities, and a hand-cranked sliding hatch opens the telescope to the sky. A rift in the zinc cladding creates a corner window, framing Polaris when the turret is locked into the southern cardinal position.
