Heatherwick Studio's Observatory: A Stargazing Portal in Saudi Arabia

A recent rendering by Heatherwick Studio reveals their upcoming observatory in Saudi Arabia, shaped like a metallic aperture carved into the desert. Its elliptical form tilts skyward, resembling an unblinking eye. Commissioned by the Royal Commission for AlUla, this structure aims to leverage the region's designation as an International Dark Sky Reserve, awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2022. This context is crucial.

Dark-sky tourism has surged in the last decade, especially in places like AlUla, where light pollution is minimal. Since 2001, the IDA has certified over 200 dark-sky reserves worldwide. Heatherwick’s observatory will connect visitors with the vastness of the universe.

The project’s jury, led by architect Dominique Perrault, sought an experience rather than a mere object. Heatherwick's response—a building that blends into its landscape—fulfills this vision with intentional ambiguity. The elliptical form could symbolize a celestial body embedded in the earth or a terrestrial cut inviting the heavens down. Thomas Heatherwick called it a 'portal to the galaxy,' though this metaphor may be overly literal.

Inside, the observatory will feature spaces for various interactions with the night sky. Plans include an amphitheatre for guided observations, a gallery for astrophotography, and a domed area for immersive projections of astronomical phenomena. The materials—local sandstone and polished steel—create a dialogue between permanence and reflectivity, echoing the enduring desert and the fleeting night sky.

The proposal also acknowledges AlUla’s rich history. This northwestern region of Saudi Arabia hosts archaeological sites like Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008. By placing a contemporary structure in this ancient context, Heatherwick Studio invites scrutiny. Critics may question whether the observatory risks becoming a spectacle in a landscape steeped in architectural and cultural significance.

The project aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, a plan aimed at diversifying the economy. Tourism, especially luxury and niche segments, plays a vital role in this initiative. Thus, the observatory is part of a broader strategy that includes luxury resorts and cultural institutions. Yet, for a project celebrating natural beauty and cosmic wonder, reliance on international flights for astrotourism raises environmental concerns.

Dr. John Barentine, an astronomer and former IDA programme director, states that 'dark-sky reserves are as much about preservation as access.' Speaking to ARTDESENT, he highlights that while projects like Heatherwick's may underscore the need to protect natural nightscapes, increased tourism could threaten the very conditions these buildings aim to celebrate. The observatory’s design incorporates light-shielding and energy-efficient systems to address these tensions, though the full environmental impact remains speculative until the project is completed.

Heatherwick Studio has a history of projects that provoke thought as well as delight. Recent examples include the Tree of Trees, a sculpture for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, and the Lantern House residential complex in New York. Both showcase the studio’s focus on tactile materiality and emotive forms, but also its tendency toward spectacle. Whether the Saudi observatory will rise above this critique depends on its ability to integrate with its environment and purpose.

Construction is set to begin in early 2024, with the observatory expected to open in 2026. Once completed, it will join a constellation of architectural interventions designed to deepen human connection to the cosmos, from the ALMA Observatory in the Atacama Desert to the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre in England. Unlike those primarily scientific facilities, Heatherwick’s design prioritizes experiential engagement, reflecting a current trend that values emotional connection over empirical inquiry.

The unresolved question remains: can a project rooted in spectacle genuinely contribute to the discourse on dark-sky preservation? Or does it risk becoming an aesthetic artefact, detached from the ecological and cultural imperatives it claims to address? For now, the observatory exists only as a rendering—a celestial promise awaiting realization.