SNOW KING OBSERVATORY

Design : Located in Jackson, Wyoming the project was created to elevate the historically disregarded astronomy observatory aesthetic, in an effort to increase public outreach and promote dark-sky initiatives. A vertical language drives design concepts in celebration of the night sky.

Values : Dark Sky Preservation , Nature Interpretation , High-Performance Wall Assembly.

Key Team : Max C Chapman Jr. – CEO of Snow King Mountain . Founder & Astronomer Samuel Singer – Wyoming Stargazing . Architect Jamie Farmer, Farmer Payne Architects . Structural Engineer – Jeff Hobson . Construction Manager – Jeff Golightly

CONCEPT

There are a few key concepts associated with how Snow King Observatory was designed. First, the overall building mass focuses on a horizonal plane, which was a response to appearing low to the earth (from afar). The roof introduces a more intimate space, through contraction. Up close the experience changes to an upward expansion.

DARK SKY PRESERVATION

Snow King Observatory started as darky sky preservation initiative in 2014, by Astronomer Samuel Singer of Wyoming Stargazing. The building was created as an extension of these efforts to promote dark sky and improve astronomy literacy in Jackson, Wyoming.

MASSING MODEL

FINAL

Image Credit : Cody Brown Photography and Snow King Mountain

HISTORIC COMMITMENT

2014 – 2017

The Snow King Observatory started as a grassroots effort, with no funding or client. Astronomer Dr. Samuel Singer started promoting the idea of Jackson Hole Observatory in 2014. One year later, Samuel met Jakub Galczynski at a Silicon Couloir Meeting in Jackson, WY. Astronomer Dr. Singer and Galczynski developed the observatory floor plans and overall design as a means to pitch the project to protentional investors. In addition to public outreach, the both researched various observatory options related to equipment and program design.

Max C. Chapman Jr, CEO of Snow King Mountain Resort, approached Dr. Singer to integrate the observatory into the resort’s Snow King Mountain Master Plan. Ryan Stanley, President of Snow King Mountain, and Chief Advisor Jeff Golightly were critical in these next years in presenting a key Master Plan to the City of Jackson and USFS, for a successful approval.

2021 Galczynski relocated to Ketchum, ID to work for Farmer Payne Architects, and the distance from the observatory location increased. To ensure forward progress, he introduced Snow King Observatory to Farmer Payne Architects and the two would soon develop the project together.

2021 – 2024 Galczynski transitioned to an independent role for Snow King Observatory. Galczynski was responsible for drawing the Snow King Observatory construction document set, which later include Interior Design. He lead the design, drafting, and coordinated with numerous consultants from Ketchum, ID. The team at Snow King Mountain was heavily involved, from start to finish. Snow King Observatory opened on June 1st 2024 thanks to Max C. Chapman Jr.

PROJECT TEAM

Project Founder : Samuel Singer, Wyoming Stargazing

Project Co-Founder & Design Lead : Jakub Galczynski, GALCZYNSKI

Architect : Jamie Farmer AIA, Farmer Payne Architects

Structural Engineer : Jeffrey Hobson PE, Tectonic Design

Telescope Systems : Paul Gardner – Observatory Systems

MEP : Sami Sanderson EIT, Joe Serre PE, Charlie Joy PE, Katie Sanderson EIT – Energy1

Civil Engineer : Dave Dufault PE – Nelson Engineering

Construction

CEO / General Manager : Ryan Stanley – Snow King Mountain

Construction Manager : Jeff Golightly – Snow King Mountain

General Contractor, Superintendent : Chris Lamorena – Ormond Builders

Telescope : Cameron Vittiglio and Josh Person – Planewave Telescope

Dome : Ash Dome

Planetarium : Design Engineer Chris Wright – SPITZ

Seating : Shannon Jeffries – Sedia Systems

Acoustics : Nate Meyer and Jazlyn Ibarra – Akouo Acoustics

RECOGNITION

2025 Award of Honor – AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region

2025 Architizer A+ Award : Architecture + Learning

ARTICLES

Big Sky Journal : More Info

WIRED Magazine Video : More Info

WHJ / Western Home Journal . AIA Awards | WHJ Congratulates The Winners : More Info

Architizer . A+Award Popular Choice : More Info

E-Architect : More Info

Jackson Hole News & Guide . Design with Care Closeup : More Info