Model

Construction

Finished

Revisiting narrative:
"A scholar is absorbed in his world, his den, surrounded by instruments that reassure his purpose."

Perspex roof (glass dome). Mount board (Typical masonry).
Stark contrast black vs. white. Black inside to enable clear viability to see stars.
Stairs- ascending into another world.
Simple exterior.
Octagon- 8 sides- number have significant meaning in religion. Biblical undercurrent (like in Vermeers painting)
taken from http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/meaning-of-numbers-in-bible/8.html:

"It is 7 plus 1. Hence it is the number specially associated with Resurrection and Regeneration, and the beginning of a new era or order.

When the whole earth was covered with the flood, it was Noah "the eighth person" (2 Peter 2:5) who stepped out on to a new earth to commence a new order of things. "Eight souls" (1 Peter 3:20) passed through it with him to the new or regenerated world."

Therefore, this space is a place of beginnings and new discovery.

The inside of the space is very convoluted and busy. The chaotic nature of the observatory reflects the crazy scientist who resides inside. They would run up and down the stairs frantically, looking for books and instruments, completely absorbed in their own universe.

Detail of bookcases

Balcony/ viewing deck
Below images clockwise from left: Looking through a window, looking up through the glass dome to the sun- celestial experience, and stairs descending to dark basement level- where reading, studying and analysing of findings takes place.