A competition entry, the Planetarium is designed by Morphemy Architects as a landmark for the city of Visakhapatnam.
Vizag, as the locals call it, is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh. The city is famous for its beaches. The Kailashgiri hills have a sea view and a city view. The planetarium faces the city constantly reminding its people of the landmark. The design, being organic, blends in with the surroundings of the iconic Kailashgiri hills. The project was imagined as a cluster of buildings rather than a more traditional, single monumental expression. The design creates an interaction between the inward and outward spaces that connects the planetarium to the site.
Kailashgiri, already a famous tourist attraction, provides an apt setting for a planetarium, one of its kind in the country. Located on a hilltop, we wanted the building to blend in with its surrounding at the same time creating an impact both visually and spatially. The idea was to mould a simple concept to derive this form that would complement the site. Through this project, we not only wanted to indulge the science enthusiasts but to encourage the rest to discover the scientific realities of the universe.
This Planetarium will also house a museum, a science centre and various indoor and outdoor life-scale exhibits to experience. The main characteristic of the design is to observe, play and learn.
On the whole, as an unrestricted and invigorating experience, the planetarium gives some space to breathe and think.
