The design project’s topic is a scientist’s retreat located on a ridge below the Mount Wilson observatory with steep slopes on either. The facility is used mostly by astronomers, but it will also entertain users interested in astronomy and occasionally to serve hikers. The site is on land that has been leases form the Angeles national forest, therefore, it is crucial to promote environmental conservation. Thus, any new design, construction, and maintenance must be designed to not impact the natural environment.

Therefore, the design intention behind this project initially developed from environmental strategies. Within the passive strategies we find natural daylighting and sustainable construction. Within the active strategies we find the collection of water through two cisterns (600 gallons each) located at the East and West sides of the building, around 25 Photovoltaic Panels installed on site, and a septic tank was to be installed underground. All these to promote conservation and sustainability considering the current conditions that Mount Wilson is currently undergoing.

Subsequently, and as noted through a Climate Analysis study (Energy Design Tool), the site conditions are mostly cold, the main passive strategies to achieve, then, are: minimizing conduction loss, minimizing infiltration, maximizing heat gain and preventing heat from being lost. By utilizing energy modeling programs like HEED the design was able to develop a Net Zero Energy status, meaning there would be no carbon footprint if the design was to be constructed, having then no harm to the environment.

The design take its shape by inclining the building south at a thirty-five degree angle, allowing an uninterrupted view for the observatory’s telescope behind it. As the design builds up, it directs the users into a focused specified view of the site depending on its location and program’s purpose. At the very top floor we find a private studio office in which the astronomers can connect as closely as possible to the starts.