Concept : Snow King Observatory was created and designed to elevate the historically disregarded observatory aesthetic in an effort to maximize public astronomy and dark sky preservation efforts from Jackson , WY. A vertical language drives many design concepts, in celebration of the night sky. In contrast a horizontal roof plane, serves as a spacial gradient between indoor and outdoor space. Extensive observatory research was done with the help of Astronomer Samuel Singer, Director of Wyoming Stargazing.
History
The Snow King Observatory was conceived in 2014 by astronomer Dr. Samuel Singer. Dr. Singer met Jakub Galczynski at a Silicon Couloir meeting in Jackson, WY. Sharing a mutual fascination for nature observation and environmental initiative, the two collaborated on an astronomy observatory design that was presented to local investors.
Max C Chapman Jr, CEO of Snow King Mountain Resort, approached Dr. Singer to integrate the observatory into the resort’s future Master Plan. Chapman’s personal interest and program decisions resulted in the direct success of Snow King Observatory.
The 2015 Observatory design was roughly 1,000 square feet. After the Town of Jackson approved Snow King’s Master Plan in 2021, the building expanded to include a stargazing rooftop and planetarium. The items where proposed by Dr. Singer to promote day time visitation and address cloudy skies. After Galczynski relocated to Ketchum, ID to work with Farmer Payne Architects, he transitioned to an independent role, leading Snow King Observatory project development in research, design, and construction documents.
After nearly a century of efforts, Snow King Observatory and Planetarium opened on June 1, 2024. The grand opening featured a notable keynote address by science educator Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy.’
Image Below : Initial 2015 Design presented to Max Chapman Jr of Snow King Mountain.

Snow King Observatory made possible by Max C Chapman Jr
Project Design
Project Founder : Samuel Singer, Wyoming Stargazing
Project Co-Founder & Design Lead : Jakub Galczynski, GALCZYNSKI
Executive Architect : Jamie Farmer AIA, Farmer Payne Architects
General Contractor, Superintendent : Chris Lamorena – Ormond Builders
Structural Engineer : Jeffrey Hobson PE, Tectonic Design
Telescope Systems : Paul Gardner – Observatory Systems
MEP : Joe Serre PE, Charlie Joy PE, Sami Sanderson EIT, Katie Sanderson EIT – Energy1
Civil Engineer : Dave Dufault PE – Nelson Engineering
Project Construction
General Manager : Ryan Stanley – Snow King Mountain Resort
Construction Manager : Jeff Golightly – Snow King Mountain Resort
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
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