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Kharter Ratliff

Kharter Ratliff

Philadelphia, PA, US

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Henry Draper Observatory

Entering the observatory is meant to feel as though it is an individual experience for pedestrians ,in comparison to entering the observatory from an area for vehicular transport. 

Activities in the spaces that are open to the public happen in seemingly separate compounds that are visually disconnected from the one another on the park’s surface. They are seemingly separate because a  hidden foot bridge allows visitors to choose which part of the complex to explore beyond their initial encounter in any of the buildings.

These pathways allow a sense of freedom and aimlessness to become apart of the visitors’ experience once they’ve entered the larger interior spaces. 

In terms of use, the periodic transformation of the spaces are subject to change daily, seasonally, and annually. Interactions in the spaces that happen on a daily basis between buildings can go from a heavy flow of foot traffic around the park’s exterior to slower and more decisive exploration within the interior spaces of the observatory while the days are longer and night is shorter. 

A majority of the movement will eventually come to a halt shortly after dusk when visitors and staff take in the view of the night sky from the indoor and outdoor observation  areas. 

 
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Status: School Project
Location: Hastings, NY, US