Honor Award GALCZYNSKI | Farmer Payne Architects: SNOW KING OBSERVATORY Jackson, Wyoming Perched 7,808 feet above Jackson, Wyoming, atop the summit of Snow King Mountain, the Snow King Observatory is a pioneering scientific facility that combines cutting-edge astronomy with public education. This 4,400-square-foot structure is the first in North America to feature a public, ADA-accessible one-meter telescope at the summit of a ski resort. Its purpose is to deepen understanding of astronomy while offering a unique experience for locals and millions of visitors to the Greater Yellowstone region. The design team was presented with a rare opportunity: creating a structure that could accommodate both a massive telescope and a steady flow of visitors while minimizing environmental impact. The building’s compact footprint preserves the ecosystem, and its low-profile design maintains sightlines to the Teton Range. At the core of the facility, a Planewave CDK1000 telescope is mounted on a 20-foot concrete pier structurally isolated from the main building to prevent vibrations from affecting its precision, ensuring clarity in astronomical research. Energy-efficient features, including a white membrane roof, reflect solar heat in summer and prevent nighttime heat distortion, preserving telescopic imagery. Fire safety and durability were paramount in the design, given the remote location and Wildland-Urban Interface requirements. The design minimizes exposed wood, relying on steel for resilience in harsh conditions. Staggered stud walls, paired with continuous insulation, provide thermal efficiency while also limiting sound transmission to the surrounding natural environment. With a mission to inspire curiosity and spark imagination, the observatory serves as both a scientific resource and an educational hub. Its program includes the telescope, a 35-seat planetarium with an 8-meter dome, a 40-seat auditorium, interactive exhibits, and a Science on a Sphere installation that projects planetary and atmospheric data onto a suspended globe, immersing visitors in the scale of the cosmos. Its unique location also extends beyond astronomy. By complementing the popular Snow King Concert Series held on the mountain, the observatory reinforces the site as a cultural and communal anchor. In this way, the building broadens its service to the community, transforming a seasonal recreation hub into a year-round destination for science, culture and shared experience. Situated within the first designated International Dark Sky Community, the observatory takes full advantage of high altitude, low humidity and minimal light pollution. Accessible by gondola or a 1,600-foot hike, it invites all to explore the wonders of the universe from one of the most stunning vistas in the United States. 33
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