The project designed by Chevalier Morales Architectes from Canada  takes its first inspiration in the very particular artificial site in which it is set. Through the complex network of existing structures, the planetarium blends into the white universe of the Olympic installations. In contrast to the opaque and matt concrete used for the Olympic stadium and for the cycling installations, the planetarium is translucent and milky. With human activity, the interior will be invaded by colors and the many polished and reflective surfaces like opalescent glass, stainless steel, lacquered white aluminium, white perforated aluminium and frit glass will contribute to amplify this effect. Once inside, articulated volumes and spaces will reveal the object of the museum: the Star theatres, covered in perforated brass panels.

Inspired by today’s climate changes and melting arctic ice, the building resembles a tormented and cracked rectangular volume. Slowly sinking next to the Olympic stadium on one side, it seems to be in a precarious balance on the other.

The initial shape goes through many torments that generate key spaces like an important green terrace, drowned by the white universe, a glass roof creating a grid on the sky, an exterior auditorium and an irregular shaped pearled iceberg-lantern floating on a thin layer of water. In the daytime, the lantern allows natural light to invade underground spaces. From outside, the Star theatres are not completely revealed. Other than a few specifically targeted openings in the façade, the only indication of their presence comes from shadows projected onto the exterior building envelope from interior lights reflected onto the brass surface. 

Images © Chevalier Morales Architectes

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