MT. WILSON SCIENTIST RETREAT

Research Station / Domicile

Mt. Wilson, California

Composition

This dual-functioning facility serves both as a home for the astronomers and a research station the public may visit. The mass is composed of two similarly shaped truncated volumes cantilevering off of the site that is unified by a meeting deck cantilevering from both masses. The programs branch off from the meeting deck in the center, distinguishing public program from the private and further producing a post-modernist framing of space with its C-shape plan. Given this project is located in Mt. Wilson, which is known to be a high fire danger zone, this arrangement of space protects the exposed meeting deck from wind as well as offers shade.

PARTI SCALE: 1/16” = 1’-0”

MASS & SITE INTEGRATION

Since the site is on a slope that ranges from shallower to steep, the intensity of the truncation runs parallel in section in accordance to the mass’ placement on the site to promote integration. Additionally, the cantilevering quality of the project promotes an integrative architectural promenade and program arrangement with the site. Given these truncated volumes inherently possess the qualities of compression and expansion, these moments are directed towards the surrounding views in which those compressed and expanded faces are dematerialized while the other faces of the volume remain completely opaque.

Composition

The tower sits atop a plinth in which both forms derive from a range of delicately bending shapes, to forms composed of tighter creases in response to the program of the space. Given the fluid curves’ more welcoming gesture, these moments subtract from the site to create three courtyards as an entry motion to the site. This design capitalizes on the east-west and northsouth connection of the environment by conducting the courtyards at these nodes, and addressing a hierarchical system where the courtyards are sized according to how densely circulated the space is.

The tower includes an atrium space with vertical circulation along the north elevation to express an architectural promenade where the spectator can interactively visit studio floors and have constant visual communication with the plinth. The stairs end at the ninth floor where the spectator enters the crown of the tower and looks out to nature while in a quadruple-high space.