Planétarium - Université de Strasbourg

The building, inspired by the geometry of observatories and astronomical instruments, comprises two sections. The first welcomes visitors – ticket office, store, cafeteria – and is the entry point for the cultural and educational activities of the Jardin des Sciences and the university’s museum structures – Museum of Zoology, Museum of Mineralogy and Seismology, Botanical Garden, etc. -. The second supports the planetarium’s 15 m-diameter dome, inclined at 18° and suspended to lower the skyline as much as possible and enhance spectator immersion. It can accommodate 138 people, comfortably seated in armchairs whose different inclinations offer maximum, even visibility of the 30 million pixels of the 6-projector projection system. A spatialized sound diffusion system completes the immersive experience. The seats can be raised to create a small stage – by dismantling the first row – for small-scale performances such as readings or chamber music. We advised on the overall scenographic issues – access, flows, networks, visitor waiting and entry, etc. – and more particularly on visibility and seating arrangements. We studied a dynamic device as a signage object on the roof, which was not ultimately selected.