INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASTRONOMY IMOA - 1848

Front

Context.The museum has been placed close to the city. It has been raised upon a podium, as an object in the landscape and together with its sculptural roof it express its cultural importance for Atacama. It becomes a beacon for astronomy tourism. The museum does not only relate to its cultural context it also address the site and the surrounding landscape. This is for instance seen in the horizontal build-ing shape, which gently compliments the horizon of the desert. The construction technique takes into account environmental factors and the choice of materials is based upon natural resources in the area, such as the copper on the roof. This makes the museum both culturally and naturally belong to Atacama.

The aesthetic experience, the variety of functions and the contextual values defines a museum, which address both men and women, young and old, amateurs and professionals and makes it possi-ble for the museum to sustain for many years to come.

ConferenceAtrium

Concept.The main concept is to create a surrounding wall, which defines an enclosed space without views to the landscape. Herby emphasising the main aspect of astronomy: the sky.The sky is experienced through the roof, which is defined as different elements shaped in order to frame parts of the sky or letting light enter the museum.Design.The intention is to create a museum, which excites and inspires the visitors. This is done through a contrast between the known and the unknown. The aesthetics of the museum relies on untreated materials, visible structure and a transparent approach to the assembling of the building. This pro-

vides a perception of honesty and a secure and safe emotional character to the building. It becomes the known.The sky above becomes the unknown. The roof, which only frames parts of the sky and the light filtering down along the walls, creates a mystic around the museum. A mystic there intrigues the visitor to go exploring.

Function.The exhibitions are situated around two atriums. In the middle services functions are placed, such as entrance hall, store and restaurant. Only in these places there are created a connection to the land-scape, which horizon is emphasised through the horizontal line of windows. The two atriums create a new experience of the surrounding nature, by exhibiting the local flora in an enclosed space. The museum contains both conference spaces, as interactive and classic exhibition spaces. This creates flexibility and a natural gathering space for professionals, amateurs and tourists.

Solar system exhibition

North

Entrance

Entrance Hall

Staging area

Restaurant

Kitchen

StaffArea

Solar System Exhibition

Planetarium(Level 2)

Star GazeExhibition

Projector Room Projector Room

Store

Toilets Observatorium(Level 2)

Exhibiton SpaceConference Room

Section AA

38 m

74 m

RestaurantSolar System Exhibition

Planetarium Exhibiton SpaceConference RoomKitchen

Axxo diagram

3. Star gaze exhibition 4. Projector room

5. Observatorium 6. Exhibition space 7. Conference

Site plan

2. Planetarium

Concept

This space presents educational and enter-taining shows about astronomy.

The observatory can be used as illustrated, having one big tele-scope for amateurs to try or also contain smaller telescopes for letting a greater amount of visitors explore the sky. The sphere roof can open up to the outside.

This interactive exhi-bition has four roofs, which frames different parts of the sky. The interactive screen tells the story of the sky framed and changes its information following the stars movement across the sky.

This space is a classic showcase room. The idea is to create a flex-ible exhibition space, which can change exhibitions through out the year.

This space can be used for projecting in relation to conference, entertainment and education purposes.

This exhibition pres-ents a model of the solar system, hovering and rotating around. This creates an inter-active exhibition there explains the solar sys-tem and provides the visitors with a physical sense of scale.

This space is mainly going to host larger conferences or lec-tures.

Section AA 1:400

Plan 1:400Elevation South 1:400

Elevation North 1:400

Elevation West 1:400

Elevation East 1:400

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34

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1. Solar system exhibition

IMOA

Parking

The museum is located close to the city, with parking area across the road for around 200 cars.The total building, with the podium is 76m x 38 m. The building is 69 m x 27 m. It is designed for around 70 visitors a day, but up to 400 vistors for big events.