Heatherwick Studio's AlUla Manara: A Desert Visitor Centre That Protects the Dark Sky

Heatherwick Studio has been selected by the Royal Commission for AlUla after winning an international design competition to create AlUla Manara, a groundbreaking building in architectural astronomy. This unique structure will function as two distinct entities based on the time of day. Its spiral design draws inspiration from galaxies and Fibonacci patterns, allowing it to optimize solar exposure during the day while preserving dark conditions at night. Located near AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first Dark Sky Park, it will feature exhibition spaces, a planetarium, a restaurant, a rooftop deck, and research facilities. The overall plan also includes lodging, a stargazing lodge, observation pods, hiking paths, and new telescopes. The project is currently in the design phase.