World's highest planetarium coming to Tibet's Museum of Natural Sciences
– Wang Junjie, deputy head, the Science and Technology Department of Tibet
Plans have been unveiled in China to build the world’s highest planetarium – set to open at the Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences in 2019.
Dubbed “the roof of the world”, the museum in the provincial capital of Lhasa, sits 4,000m (13,123ft) above sea level, passing through the three permanent exhibition halls of the Natural Science Museum, the Science Museum and the Cultural Exhibition Hall. It also features a theatre and multimedia facilities.
According to the Tibet Autonomous Region Government, which owns the museum, the planetarium will become a major regional base not only for astronomical research but also public science education.
At its core, the planetarium will feature the region’s largest telescope, which will be jointly developed by the planetarium and the National Astronomical Observatories.
"With the highest altitude in the world, the planetarium will become a perfect window for the public to get to know the stars and explore the universe,” said Wang Junjie, deputy head of the Science and Technology Department of Tibet, speaking to state-run media agency Xinhua. “This will be thanks to little air pollution or light pollution in the region."
Designed by Chinese firm Cendes and French-based Architecture Studio, the Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences opened in 2015, offering the region a modern, sustainable and cultural project on an international scale.
Integrating sustainable building features, the museum includes high-performance insulation, a facade shading system, solar panels, solar thermal, natural ventilation and biodiversity landscaping.
The planetarium is not the only major attraction under development in Tibet, with plans unveiled last year for a US$6.4m (€5.5m, £4.9m) museum celebrating Mount Everest. Built over five storeys and displaying fossils collected from the mountain, as well as animal and plant specimens, the Everest museum is due to open in late 2018.
Tibet museum Tibet Museum of Natural Sciences planetarium Cendes Architecture Studio architecture design visitor attractions science centreGoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Ben Channon has written Happy by Design, a new book about how architecture affects our mental health. He explains how we can all be happier at home