New Troodos Space Observatory Resembles Sci-Fi Spaceship
A new space observatory in Cyprus, resembling a sci-fi movie spaceship, is now open and ready for exploration. Perched high on the Troodos mountains, the Troodos Observatory offers an unobstructed view of the skies and aims to enhance celestial knowledge.
Troodos Observatory: Design and Purpose
The Troodos Observatory, funded with 1.77 million euros ($1.90 million), was inaugurated in May. Located in the Troodos mountains, it aims to attract visitors to areas increasingly affected by urbanisation. Designed by sci-fi enthusiasts and architects Elena, Nicodemos, and Cassandra Tsolakis, the building’s spaceship-like appearance was not intentional but a natural outcome of the design process.
Elena Tsolakis explained, “From some angles, the building might look like a spaceship. Was that the intention? No, but that is what came out.”
Architectural Features and Design
The observatory’s reflective cladding allows it to blend seamlessly with the terrain or skies, making it appear hidden at certain angles. Nicodemos Tsolakis stated, “Our main objective was to create an iconic building for the area, and we think that has been achieved.”
The observatory is part of the EU-backed Geostars project, which aims to regenerate isolated rural areas in Cyprus and Greece. It is equipped with a 20-inch reflective telescope, the largest on the island, housed under a rotating 5.6m wide dome, and a solar telescope beneath a hydraulic roof.
Visitor Experience and Educational Goals
Elena Tsolakis, named one of the 100 most influential female architects in the world by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), emphasised the importance of creating unique experiences for visitors. “We aim to replicate that feeling of wonder, especially for children, to inspire curiosity and a desire to learn more about the world beyond our everyday existence,” she said.
A protrusion designed as an astromarina for mobile telescopes appears to emerge from the earth, enhancing the building’s futuristic appearance. Visitors might easily imagine the observatory ready to switch to warp speed.