In “The Ocean Above Us: How Planetariums Inspire Wonder” ArchDaily writes: “Planetariums are designed for discovery and exploration. Created around immersive experiences, these projects draw our imaginations to new worlds. As theaters for education and entertainment, they also bring people together. Today, architects and designers are reimagining what the modem planetarium can be, and in turn, are inspiring new investigations into the universe and the vast ocean above us.” Through an exploration of projects that showcase planetarium design—including the designs of Shanghai Astronomy Museum and American Museum of Natural History, Rose Center for Earth and Space—the article highlights how these designs explore what it means to look outside ourselves.
The iconic sphere within a glass cube of the Rose Center for Earth and Space at the American Museum of Natural History redefines this landmark cultural institution for the twenty-first century. The technical virtuosity and extreme clarity of the curtainwall, the soaring interior space and the articulated spatial experience inspire an appreciation of the wonders of our universe and the power of scientific inquiry.
The Shanghai Astronomy Museum creates an immersive experience that places visitors in direct engagement with real astronomical phenomena. Through scale, form, and the manipulation of light, the building heightens awareness of our fundamental relationship to the sun and the earth’s orbital motion.
Read the full article here.