Innovative architecture firm Ennead has designed a
cutting-edge planetarium, inspired by astronomy and
planetary science, for one of China’s leading modern museums
By Tom Anstey | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
The planetarium consists of three major elements: the Oculus, the Inverted Dome and the Sphere. Shanghai Planetarium will be an addition to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, which in 2013 attracted 3.5 million visitors
Ennead Architects has unveiled a futuristic design for the new Shanghai Planetarium in Shanghai, China. The New York firm was selected after winning an international competition.
The 38,000sqm (409,000sq ft) project will be part of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in the Lingang district.
The design celebrates the continuum of time and space and, according to Ennead, the plans mirror the rich history of Chinese astronomy and the future ambitions of China’s space exploration programme.
“In linking the new museum to both scientific purpose and to the celestial references of buildings throughout history, the exhibits and architecture will communicate what it means to be human in a vast and largely unknown universe,” says Ennead Architects partner and design principal Thomas Wong.
The Oculus, the Inverted Dome and the Sphere comprise the central body of the architecture, with the building form, programme and circulation incorporating orbital movement, supporting the flow of visitors through the temporary and permanent galleries and the main areas.
The Oculus has been designed so visitors can track a circle of sunlight on the ground across the entry plaza and its reflecting pool. The Sphere on the outside of the building contains the 18 metre (59 foot) planetarium and acts as an icon and reference point to visitors within the museum; something Ennead says is “integral to the planetarium’s identity”.
Also included in the development will be an expansive green zone, as well as gardens incorporating an exterior exhibitory with a 24 metre (79 foot) solar telescope, youth observation camp and observatory. At this stage development costs are being kept confidential and other contractors working on the project are yet to be confirmed. The completion date is expected to be 2018.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
Interview: Marty Sklar
Retired Disney Legend Marty Sklar
reveals the secrets of Imagineering,
the legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair
and the lessons he learned as
Walt Disney’s “keeper of the keys”
Talking Point: The $100 Barrier
As a Walt Disney World day ticket
enters three-digit territory for
the first time, we ask what this
means for pricing in the sector
Museums: Biomuseo
Panama has opened the world’s first
museum of biodiversity, an ambitious
building by architect Frank Gehry. We
meet the team behind the project
Expos: Food for Thought
Expo Milano 2015 launches in Italy,
aiming to bring the planet’s most
pressing problems to the fore, not least
how to provide food for everybody
Zoos & Aquariums: On the SAFE Side
AZA chair Dennis Pate explains a new
initiative designed to help endangered
animals, and offers some tips from
his world-class Henry Doorly zoo
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is a creative maverick with a
new perspective, bringing custom-made
one-of-a-kind attractions typologies to
a world that needs something di�fferent
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the third part of our series, we look at
the enduring appeal of wooden coasters
Ticketing: Dream Tickets
Ticketing systems are advancing to
improve the guest’s experience and the
operator’s profit. We investigate the
sector’s current and upcoming trends
Suspended above the main entry to the museum, the Oculus element of the building’s design demonstrates the passage of time by tracking a circle of sunlight on the ground across the entry plaza and pool
Celestial bodies inspired the design
The Sphere houses the planetarium itself. A skylight around it allows light into the museum below – it should create a perfect ring of light on summer solstice
The Inverted Dome, which allows the real experience of day and night skies, is on top of the central atrium. All the galleries are organised around the central atrium
COMPANY PROFILES
Holovis
Holovis is a privately owned company
established in 2004 by CEO Stuart
Hetherington. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK
QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor
TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Innovative architecture firm Ennead has designed a
cutting-edge planetarium, inspired by astronomy and
planetary science, for one of China’s leading modern museums
By Tom Anstey | Published in Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
The planetarium consists of three major elements: the Oculus, the Inverted Dome and the Sphere. Shanghai Planetarium will be an addition to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, which in 2013 attracted 3.5 million visitors
Ennead Architects has unveiled a futuristic design for the new Shanghai Planetarium in Shanghai, China. The New York firm was selected after winning an international competition.
The 38,000sqm (409,000sq ft) project will be part of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum in the Lingang district.
The design celebrates the continuum of time and space and, according to Ennead, the plans mirror the rich history of Chinese astronomy and the future ambitions of China’s space exploration programme.
“In linking the new museum to both scientific purpose and to the celestial references of buildings throughout history, the exhibits and architecture will communicate what it means to be human in a vast and largely unknown universe,” says Ennead Architects partner and design principal Thomas Wong.
The Oculus, the Inverted Dome and the Sphere comprise the central body of the architecture, with the building form, programme and circulation incorporating orbital movement, supporting the flow of visitors through the temporary and permanent galleries and the main areas.
The Oculus has been designed so visitors can track a circle of sunlight on the ground across the entry plaza and its reflecting pool. The Sphere on the outside of the building contains the 18 metre (59 foot) planetarium and acts as an icon and reference point to visitors within the museum; something Ennead says is “integral to the planetarium’s identity”.
Also included in the development will be an expansive green zone, as well as gardens incorporating an exterior exhibitory with a 24 metre (79 foot) solar telescope, youth observation camp and observatory. At this stage development costs are being kept confidential and other contractors working on the project are yet to be confirmed. The completion date is expected to be 2018.
Read more from this issue of Attractions Management magazine
View contents of Attractions Management 2015 issue 2
Interview: Marty Sklar
Retired Disney Legend Marty Sklar
reveals the secrets of Imagineering,
the legacy of the 1964 World’s Fair
and the lessons he learned as
Walt Disney’s “keeper of the keys”
Talking Point: The $100 Barrier
As a Walt Disney World day ticket
enters three-digit territory for
the first time, we ask what this
means for pricing in the sector
Museums: Biomuseo
Panama has opened the world’s first
museum of biodiversity, an ambitious
building by architect Frank Gehry. We
meet the team behind the project
Expos: Food for Thought
Expo Milano 2015 launches in Italy,
aiming to bring the planet’s most
pressing problems to the fore, not least
how to provide food for everybody
Zoos & Aquariums: On the SAFE Side
AZA chair Dennis Pate explains a new
initiative designed to help endangered
animals, and offers some tips from
his world-class Henry Doorly zoo
Promotional feature: IDEATTACK
IDEATTACK is a creative maverick with a
new perspective, bringing custom-made
one-of-a-kind attractions typologies to
a world that needs something di�fferent
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the third part of our series, we look at
the enduring appeal of wooden coasters
Ticketing: Dream Tickets
Ticketing systems are advancing to
improve the guest’s experience and the
operator’s profit. We investigate the
sector’s current and upcoming trends
Suspended above the main entry to the museum, the Oculus element of the building’s design demonstrates the passage of time by tracking a circle of sunlight on the ground across the entry plaza and pool
Celestial bodies inspired the design
The Sphere houses the planetarium itself. A skylight around it allows light into the museum below – it should create a perfect ring of light on summer solstice
The Inverted Dome, which allows the real experience of day and night skies, is on top of the central atrium. All the galleries are organised around the central atrium
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Holovis Holovis is a privately owned company
established in 2004 by CEO Stuart
Hetherington. [more...]
QubicaAMF UK QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
