Platonic solids

Cyprus Planetarium is composed of two buildings that house a Planetarium, exhibition zones, a conference center, an amphitheater–observatory, an astronomical observatory, a restaurant, and educational facilities. It is located in Episkopeio, in the Nicosia district, and stands as a landmark project for Cypriot society.

 

Design Philosophy

It is a pioneering complex that brings together high aesthetics, technology, sustainable development, economic viability, and social impact, contributing to research and innovation, academia, knowledge, and study. Access to the Planetarium is achieved through a transitional “threshold” and a route that passes between water features, planting, and light.

The composition of the project is based on Platonic solids such as the cube, the sphere, and the polyhedron. The design seeks to translate symbols into architectural choices: mystery, the unknown, and the universe are expressed through black, while white represents truth, purity, scientific thought, and the soul.

 

 

Functional Organization

The amphitheater building includes, on the ground floor, a restaurant, café, and sanitary facilities, while the upper level accommodates the amphitheater–observatory, ideal for outdoor music events and performances, as well as a state-of-the-art telescope and astronomical observatory.

The Planetarium building houses, on the ground floor, the planetarium hall with an 18-meter screen, 10 projectors, and 176 seats, a 360° VR room, a temporary exhibition space, a gift shop, and a café. The first floor contains the conference center, while the basement accommodates offices and an additional VR room.

 

 

Bioclimatic Design

Within the framework of sustainable construction, the project is environmentally friendly, bioclimatic, and technologically advanced. Materials, technologies, and techniques have been adopted to minimize environmental impact and to create a zero-energy building. A double ventilated façade system reduces the thermal mass of the walls, as natural ventilation is distributed through the two layers.

Optimal orientation was pursued to maximize beneficial solar heat gains, along with the careful design of openings to ensure ample natural daylight, views toward the planted exterior environment, and cross-ventilation of interior spaces. In the basement, both a light well for daylighting and an air shaft for natural ventilation were created. Water features were also integrated into the composition, contributing significantly to overall cooling.

The green roof, as part of the passive design strategy, improves thermal insulation and the microclimate. At the same time, the use of renewable energy sources – photovoltaic solar panels installed on the dome – ensures the building’s autonomous energy operation.

 

Privacy matters

Situated on a plot commonly referred to in Portuguese as a terreno de gaveta -a narrow, elongated site nestled between neighboring buildings with limited street frontage- this residence occupies a 10 by 18-meter lot, totaling 180m2. Due to the compact size and proximity to adjacent structures, ensuring privacy from both the street and neighbors was a key challenge. The residence itself spans 184m2 of built area, with an additional 70m2 dedicated to the rooftop.

 

Design Philosophy

To address privacy concerns while capitalizing on the sweeping coastal views, the design inverts the conventional layout. Private spaces, including bedrooms and a home office, are located on the ground floor, oriented toward a central courtyard. In contrast, social areas are elevated to the upper floors, establishing both visual and functional separation from the public street.

At the heart of the home is the staircase, a central vertical element that connects all levels while enhancing visual permeability throughout. On the ground floor, it begins with a masonry volume clad in the same flooring used outside, featuring clay brick steps. As it ascends, the staircase transforms: vertical steel cables extend the full height, supporting floating steps anchored to the wall, creating a striking architectural feature.

 

 

Material Palette

The residence is constructed with a mix of concrete and steel, materials that recur throughout the design in details such as bathroom partitions and stair finishes. Drawing from modernist influences prominent in São Paulo architecture, the design emphasizes proportion, verticality, and a rhythmic composition of horizontal volumes. The exposed concrete ceilings are a highlight, meticulously crafted with formwork designed by the architects to achieve a refined texture. Every detail -from the placement of lighting fixtures to the integration of embedded systems- was carefully pre-planned. Curtain tracks, for example, were embedded in the concrete slab during the formwork stage.

Expansive aluminum and glass openings frame coastal views, flood the interior with natural light, and encourage cross-ventilation, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the need for artificial lighting and cooling. This integration of indoor and outdoor elements is central to the architectural concept, dissolving the boundaries between the two. Exterior-grade materials were intentionally brought indoors, reinforcing this seamless transition and creating a cohesive living experience.

 

 

Spatial Organization

The upper-level social spaces extend outward through deep overhangs with integrated benches that double as guardrails, giving the living areas a sense of openness and continuity. The kitchen, designed as a social hub, centers around a large island that facilitates circulation and interaction during gatherings. Furnishings include existing family pieces and new elements in wood and rattan, contributing to a relaxed and understated ambiance. Storage solutions are discreetly built into the staircase zone, with custom panels that blend seamlessly into the architecture.

On the ground floor, the bedrooms are shielded with wooden panels that ensure complete blackout and privacy. These are complemented by an Accoya wood brise-soleil, whose acetylation treatment enhances moisture resistance and durability. A soft, neutral palette defines the bedroom interiors, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Bathrooms feature metal-framed doors with textured glass panels, adding both privacy and aesthetic depth. The office, extending from the main volume, benefits from continuous daylight via generous glass frames and a skylight that highlights the floor textures. Its cabinetry mirrors the surrounding finishes, with concealed panels that create a clean, uninterrupted surface. The central table, supported by a single leg and cantilevered at the base, adds to the room’s light, minimal character.

 

 

Sustainable Design

Designed with local climate conditions in mind, the residence is protected from the strong northern winds common in Northern Portugal. This allows the interior to remain open and airy, even on blustery days. The rooftop terrace features a built-in pool that is sheltered from the wind and opens onto a secluded green area bordering the beach. Strategic ventilation openings- one on the rooftop and another at ground level -facilitate rapid cross-ventilation, reducing the need for mechanical cooling. During the colder months, underfloor heating throughout most rooms ensures warmth and energy efficiency.