Jury comments: More art than architecture, this building is a figural object on top of a mountain, a beautiful folly. The program’s singular function makes it easy to evaluate. It’s the culmination of sophisticated artistic thought. The geometry of its mass is not innovative, but the articulation and materiality are sublime. We applaud the bold choice of using only one color on the exterior. The plywood interior is a surprise but the observatory works well holistically. As the piece on top turns, it creates datum lines that express a tension both attractive and formally discordant. The siting and attention to detail are exciting. The structure changes the shape of an already fragmented place.
