Structure studio Snøhetta has accomplished Orionis, a planetarium in Douai, France, that options two domes surrounded by sweeping picket partitions.

The planetarium, which is positioned in northern France, was constructed from supplies knowledgeable by the encircling space.

Its elliptical form is comprised of a wall constructed from poplar wooden and a glazed wall with metal brise-soleils. These draw on the structure of the close by Arkéos archaeology museum, with which Orionis shares its parking tons and landscaped areas.

The form of the two,000-square-metre constructing was knowledgeable by its operate as an area the place guests can discover the evening sky.

“​We wished to suggest a rare assembly place and a brand new vacation spot for the inhabitants of Douai,” stated Snøhetta co-founder Kjetil Trædal Thorsen.

“The architectural and concrete idea of our challenge takes its inspiration from the elliptical motion of the celebs,” he added.

“Being steady, fluid and perpetual are notions that we have now reinterpreted within the challenge, not solely when it comes to the form but additionally within the expertise that guests could have of the planetarium, all senses employed.”

The planetarium, which opened to the general public in Might, homes a reception space, exhibition areas and an amphitheatre. It options two domes, that are lined in PVC and home the constructing’s screening and projection rooms.

These will be seen from afar and had been designed as a means of showcasing the planetarium’s operate by its form.

A barely inclined ramp hyperlinks the totally different elements of the planetarium, which holds an elliptical courtyard at its centre.

This contains a planted backyard that may be seen from the remainder of the constructing by the encircling glass partitions.

Snøhetta labored with engineering consultants CET Ingénierie, Influence Conseil et Ingénierie and Cicanord, acoustical advisor Studio Dap on the challenge.

The studio additionally collaborated with panorama firm Atelier Silva Landscaping to optimise the encircling panorama to “promote biodiversity”.

Inside, the constructing was designed to create a way of “coherence and continuity”, with guests following a circuit that leads from the doorway to an immersive room.

A ramp then brings them all the way down to the bottom ground and exit.

The constructing additionally homes an observatory space and places of work on the primary ground.

Snøhetta designed the challenge with some sustainable options, with its heating coming from geothermal vitality and sensors put in on openings to supply “clever pure air flow”.

The planetarium’s decrease degree has a inexperienced roof planted with wild grass.

The studio additionally used regionally sourced supplies and added sunshades to assist regulate the temperature of the constructing.

Orionis marks one of many first tasks that was utterly conceived, managed and constructed by Snøhetta’s Paris studio.

“We’re extraordinarily excited to showcase the Snøhetta strategy for delivering high-quality cultural and academic buildings in France,” stated Oliver Web page, managing director of Snøhetta’s Paris studio.

Different latest tasks by Snøhetta embody a shingle-clad viewing tower in Austria and a cavernous climbing centre in Norway.

Within the US, staff on the firm’s places of work not too long ago voted down a movement to unionise.

The pictures is by Jad Sylla.