53.233 Degrees
Kielder Astronomical Observatory, Northumberland
Threefold Architects were longlisted for their competition design for the new astronomical observatory for the Kielder Partnership in Northumberland in 2007. The brief called for an affordable exemplar design to house the main observatory and teaching spaces for this centre of astronomical outreach.
The design makes reference to Kielder’s dense woodland location and its astronomical coordinate of 53.233 degrees by proposing a vast angled plane of tree trunks and adjoining ramped walkway that appears to rise out of the forest. This setting encourages visitors to observe dramatic views of the sky by night and the surrounding countryside by day.
Three towers punch through the plane containing the main telescope housings at the top, with teaching facilities and accommodation located below. The largest of these three undercrofts contains a solar calendar. Members of the public can directly experience the changing orientation of the earth's position in the solar system via the constantly shifting hue and intensity of light in the space.