Ennead Architects’ Shanghai Planetarium Breaks Ground

Construction has started onShanghai's409, 000-square-foot Shanghai Planetarium.

Based in the city’s Lingang districtanddue to openin 2020, it will operate as the new astronomical branch for the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.The museum will boast a 78-foot-tall solar telescope together with exterior exhibition space.

---

The museum will include:

• A 68-foot Diameter Digital Sky Theater
• AnEducation and Research Center
• An IMAX theater
• A60-foot-Diameter Optical Planetarium
• Permanent and temporary Exhibit Galleries
• ASolar Telescope
• Youth Observation Camp
• Observatory

The international-competition-winningdesign of the buildingis inspiredby astronomical principles inits three forms: the “oculus, ” the “inverted dome, ” and the “sphere.” This arrangement representsan astronomic tool being used to track the sun, moon, and stars.

New York designfirm Ennead Architects ' Partner Thomas Wong said, “In linking the new museum to both scientific purpose and to the celestial references of buildings throughout history, the exhibits and architecture will communicate more than scientific content: they will illuminate what it means to be human in a vast and largely unknown universe”.

https://www.contractdesign.com/news/projects/Construction-Begins-on-Ennead-Architects-Shanghai-Planetarium-39650.shtml