Designed by New York-based studio Ennead Architects, Shanghai Astronomy Museum is now the largest astronomy museum in the world. The 420,000-square-foot structure is inspired by the cosmos and features a curvilinear volume that looks like a planet in orbit. Within the building, three unique forms integrate functional astronomical instruments into the design. The first is the Oculus, a circular opening over the main entry that tracks the sun across the plaza’s floor, while the Sphere mimics a floating planet and houses a planetarium theater. The final feature is the Inverted Dome placed at top of the central atrium. Accessed by a spiral pathway that transports visitors through the exhibits, the glass tension structure affords guests an unobstructed view of the sky.
