Kielder Observatory gets the go-ahead for new planetarium

Plans have been approved for a new planetarium at Kielder Observatory in Northumberland.

Newcastle-based JDDK Architects secured the go-ahead on behalf of the observatory, paving the way for a new attraction at the scientific tourist destination.

Located a few miles from the Scottish border, within the world’s third-biggest protected Dark Sky reserve, Kielder Observatory opened in 2008 and today hosts more than 40 astronomical events each month.

Earlier this year, the centre expanded with the launch of a second, smaller observatory.

The new planetarium will widen the facility’s offer for daytime visitors or on cloudy nights when visibility is poor.

How the site could look

Alison Thornton-Sykes, principal architect at JDDK, said of its design: “The proposal is for a 7m diameter structure set down in the landscape on a 1.1m plinth so that the peak of the dome appears at the same height as the adjacent observatory.

“The circular form of the domed roof acts as a foil to the linear form of the two observatories with the curved form leading out to define a curved viewing platform.”

She continued: “The balustrading and cladding in scorched larch timber contrast further with the observatories while still utilising the same material.

“The planetarium and the two observatories are set around a central ‘Village Square’ to create a real sense of place for the whole attraction whilst the external landscaping will be retained as a natural setting.”

Kielder Observatory operations director John Holmes commented: “It’s been great to be working with JDDK again as I have commissioned them a number of occasions during my career, particularly at Durham Cathedral, and the company always offer highly imaginative and attractive solutions and are always prepared to go the extra mile for their clients whatever the size and scale of the developments.

“We are looking forward to securing funds for the planetarium which would be a very valuable asset to our range of facilities particularly in relation to our expanding educational programme.”