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 design concept was looks to stay low, from afar, yet becomes a vertical celebration of the sky in close proximity.

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

Several key design principles informed the design of Snow King Observatory. The overall building mass emphasizes a strong horizontal plane, intentionally conceived to sit low against the landscape when viewed from a distance. In contrast, the roof form introduces a sense of intimacy through spatial compression. As one approaches the structure, this experience transitions into a vertical expansion, that frames the sky.

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

PROGRESS

FINAL

Image Credit : Cody Brown Photography and Snow King Mountain

STORY

( 2014 – 2017 )

The Snow King Observatory began as a grassroots idea, one without funding, a formal client, or even a defined site. In 2014, astronomer Dr. Samuel Singer began advocating for a public observatory in Jackson Hole. His vision was simple but ambitious: to create a place where the public could experience astronomy in one of the darkest and most spectacular night skies in the American West.

A year later, at a meeting hosted by Silicon Couloir in Jackson, Singer met Jakub Galczynski, then a 26-aspiring architect. The two quickly discovered a shared enthusiasm for the idea and began collaborating on ways to turn the concept into something tangible. Together they developed floor plans and design renderings for an observatory, communicating the vision to potential supporters and investors. At the same time, they researched observatory and planetarium equipment that would ultimately shape the project.

The concept gained unexpected traction when Max C. Chapman Jr., CEO of Snow King Mountain Resort, encountered Singer at a farmers market booth. Intrigued by the concept, Chapman suggested integrating the observatory into the resort’s long-range Snow King Mountain Master Plan. The proposal transformed the project from a speculative idea into a real possibility.

Recognizing the opportunity, Galczynski stepped away from his architectural team to focus on advancing the observatory. During these formative years, Ryan Stanley, President of Snow King Mountain, and Chief Advisor Jeff Golightly played key roles in championing the broader Master Plan. Their efforts helped bring the proposal before the City of Jackson and the United States Forest Service, ultimately securing critical approvals that allowed the project to move forward.

( 2021 ) As the project continued to develop over the many years, Jakub Galczynski relocated to Ketchum, Idaho to expand Farmer Payne Architects. The move increased the physical distance between him and the observatory site in Jackson, Wyoming, but the project continued to gain momentum. To help maintain progress, Galczynski introduced the observatory project to Farmer Payne Architects and the firm soon joined the effort.

( 2021 – 2024 ) . As the scope of the project expanded, Galczynski again transitioned away from a traditional architectural team structure and moved into an independent role dedicated to advancing the Snow King Observatory. In this capacity, he was responsible for producing the project’s construction document set, a body of work that later expanded to include the observatory’s interior design. Galczynski led the design and drafting effort while coordinating with numerous consultants.

Throughout the process, the team at Snow King Mountain Resort remained closely involved, contributing to the project from its earliest development through construction. After years of collaboration, persistence, and incremental progress, the Snow King Observatory officially opened to the public on June 1, 2024 made possible through the leadership and commitment of Max C. Chapman Jr..

2015 DESIGN RENDERING :

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

AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region : More Info.

Architizer . A+Award Popular Choice : More Info

E-Architect : More Info

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