offshore studio + UTS school of architecture: southern skies earth and space centre

‘southern skies earth and space centre’ by offshore studio + UTS school of architecture images courtesy of the university of technology, sydney

in a fairly rare opportunity, masters of architecture students at the university of technology sydney worked in conjunction with their professors and offshore studio to develop ‘southern skies earth and space centre’, a structure that will see completion in 2015. situated next to the botanical garden and adventure playground in new south wales, australia, the low angular form has been designed to cohesively integrate with the surrounding landscape.

interior rendering

the futuristic and contemporary structure gradually rises from the ground, extending to cantilever over the glazed entrance. a retractable glass roof sits above a viewing deck at the heart of the 2000 square meter structure. multiple exhibition areas, an 80-seat planetarium and conference facilities round out the facility, which are dispersed over a series of open and atrium-like spaces.

entrance

a perforated skin clads the volume and creates an transitional environment that changes with light patterns and weather conditions. during the day a diffused pattern dances around the interior volume, while at night, light shines outwards through the porous skin.

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‘offshore studio 1001 OPI’, an exhibition running from april 6th through april 29 at UTS’s DAB lab, will showcase drawings, presentation images and models of the project, giving visitors an inside look into the design development.

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