Immersion Zone — International Dark Sky Discovery Center
The International Dark Sky Discovery Center, a $25 million, 23,000-sq-ft observatory and STEM education facility in Fountain Hills, Arizona, broke ground April 8, 2024 and is expected to open in 2026; architecture by Swaback Architects + Planners, with the building's Immersion Zone exhibit hall designed and fabricated by Split Rock Studios.
| Venue | International Dark Sky Discovery Center |
|---|---|
| Project type | New Building |
| Status | In progress |
| Year completed | 2026 (in progress) |
| Technologies | interactive educational displays |
Credits
| Firm | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| swaback-architects | Architecture | |
| Split Rock Studios | Exhibit Design | |
| Split Rock Studios | Fabrication |
Description
The facility includes a 27.5-inch PlaneWave telescope in a domed observatory, a 65-seat planetarium, and a multipurpose auditorium, alongside the 3,300-sq-ft Immersion Zone exhibit space dedicated to STEM education and dark sky preservation.