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The hard-won wisdom that transforms amateur observatory dreams into reality.
Transform your amateur observatory dreams into reality with professional architectural guidance. As a licensed architect specializing in observatory design, I've compiled essential resources covering site selection, light pollution mitigation, building codes, and the critical design details that separate successful projects from costly mistakes.
Whether you're planning a roll-off roof observatory, dealing with WUI fire codes, or selecting the optimal site for your telescope, these articles provide the professional insights needed to build it right the first time.
Ready to build it right the first time?
Roll-Off Roof Observatory Design: The Critical Details Most Amateurs Miss
In my presentation to the San Jose Astronomical Association, I walk through the critical components that separate successful observatory builds from costly mistakes. You'll discover why soil drainage matters more than you think, how WUI fire codes impact your material choices, and different foundation approaches that actually work in different conditions.
Whether you're planning your first observatory or reconsidering a failed project, this video covers the architectural realities to help you get started designing your own observatory.
Practical Fire Protection For Your Observatory
When wildfire destroyed our astronomy club's observatory, all that remained were melted blobs of aluminum and glass — what used to be precision telescopes worth thousands of dollars. As an architect and newsletter editor for the Tri-Valley Stargazers, I witnessed firsthand how the 2020 SCU Lightning Complex Fire reduced years of careful equipment curation to rubble in hours. With fire season approaching, protecting your observatory isn't just about building codes — it's about preserving your connection to the cosmos. Here's what every amateur astronomer needs to know about fire-proofing their slice of the universe.