Our lookbook for the concept of Carlton Observatory at Evergreen!

1. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen
Architectural Concept Design
January 19, 2021
Dangermond Keane Architecture
Portland, Oregon
with C&G Partners Exhibit Design, NYC

2. 2 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
The Carlton Observatory is the vision of Forrest Babcock and Janet
Zuelke, who dreamed of building a science center that would culti-
vate and deepen community connections, while fostering innovative,
scientific discovery. The duo enlisted the support of a small group of
like-minded friends to reach out through community events, lec-
tures, and star parties. At every interaction, the team encountered an
enthusiastic curiosity about the science of astronomy and a desire
to make all science more accessible to everyone.
The Carlton Observatory will provide a state-of-the-art resource,
creating opportunities to expand science education for students and
educators in rural Yamhill County and the greater area. From the
traveling exhibits, to our maker’s studio, to the Observatory itself,
this unique science center brings an innovative asset to the region.
Visitors of all ages will find an interactive and exciting space where
they can discover, experience, and celebrate the wonder of science
in a whole new way.
This Concept Design moves the Observatory Project forward from
what was an aspirational notion to a more concrete vision of a place,
rooted in the community, located synergistically with the region’s
major museum, and speaking to the deep wonder we all feel for the
cosmos.
The Carlton Observatory is an organized 501c3 as of May 2018
So…Keep looking up!
Image Credits
All renderings and plans of the Observatory are by Dangermond Keane Architecture, llc.
Exhibitry images courtesy of C&G Partners, New York. Photograph of Forrest with the
Big Blue, this page, by Dr. Jim Hammond of Sisters Astronomy Club. Photograph of
Pic du Midi Observatory by Pascalou Petit, via Wikimedia Commons. Wedding photo at
the Lick Observatory courtesy of Ian Martin Wedding Photojournalism. Rancho Mirage
Observatory Image on Page 7 courtesy of Observatoty Systems, Pasadena. Star party
image courtesy of the Adams Observatory, Austin College. Site photos of the Evergreen
Museum campus by Steve Dangermond. Photo of Saturn from the Cassini Space Craft
courtesy of NASA. Remaining images are either public domain or from iStock, Adobe
Stock, or ShutterStock.
Promoting astronomy to foster
an engaged, imaginative and
scientifically literate community
Original 2017 Observatory Concept Sketch (by Janet Zuelke, Carlton Observatory)

3. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 3

4. 4 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Site and Context
View of the Evergreen Space Museum from the Site
View of the site from the West
Available
Site
The view from Highway 18 / Three Mile Lane
The Observatory will be located on the campus of the Evergeen Air &
Space Museum, home of the Spruce Goose, in Eastern McMinnville,
Oregon. The region is in the center of Oregon’s wine country, a major
tourist destination.
The site is located just East of the Evergreen Space Museum, which
contains an array of rockets, moon vehicles, satellites, and other
space-related vehicles. The museum is really a “space vehicle”
museum, lacking in-depth exhibits on astronomy and telescope
science, making for a synergistic—rather than competitive—relation-
ship with the new Observatory.
The topography of the Evergreen Campus is almost totally flat, and
is surrounded by mostly rural areas and vineyards, and to the south,
Highway 18 and the McMinnville Municipal Airport. The site chosen
is a roughly 12-foot high artificial berm on the Eastern edge of the
campus. The berm, practically the only site topography in the area,
offers an opportunity to raise the Observatory slightly above the sur-
rounding landscape. Views East from the bermed site are of a local
trailer park and should be screened.
The museum buildings at Evergreen are enormous, hanger-like
structures totaling hundreds of thousands of square feet. They
are surrounded by an array of aircraft and rocket artifacts, akin to
sculptures in the flat green landscape. Rather than try to compete
with or match the scale of the museum buildings, the Observatory is
thought of as being analogous to the artifacts, and has been de-
signed with a palette of materials that echoes the aircraft rather than
the museum buildings.
Evergreen Space Museum
H i g h w a y 1 8
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5. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 5
Site and Context
The view to the site and the Evergreen Museum from the East
The view of the site from the Evergeen Space Museum exit
Undesireable views looking East Concept Site Plan
Vineyards
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6. 6 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Elements of the Observatory
Observatory
Upper-Level Viewing Deck
Space Museum
Gift Shop
Exterior Ramp & Exhibits
“Great Hall” Lobby/Circulation
Classroom
Steps to Observatory & Viewing Deck
Star Terrace
Offices
Parking
Photovoltaic Panels & Green Roofs
Maker Space
Arrival Plaza
Exhibits and Planetarium

7. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 7
Elements of the Observatory
The Observatory and Primary Telescope
The Observatory is an 18 to 20-foot diameter, two-story room at
the south end of the building housing a state-of-the-art Planewave
Telescope. The telescope will be mounted on an independent con-
crete pedestal with its own foundation, isolating the telescope from
building vibrations. Located at the high point of the southern end
of the facility, the telescope will have an uninterrupted view of the
southern sky.
The observatory will be covered by a state of the art rotating ASH
dome which will open to the night sky. Within the supporting drum
on the second floor surrounding the telescope will be a public view-
ing area, accessed via the exterior over a rooftop viewing deck.
The Star Terrace
The Star Terrace will be a 3,000 sf exterior viewing plaza located
south of the facility. This multi-use space will host star gazing par-
ties, classroom activities, and special events such as weddings and
lectures in good weather.
The Star Terrace can be accessed from the building lobby, the class-
room, or via an external ramp which will allow the terrace to be used
even when the building is closed.
A spiraling exterior stair leads from the Star Terrace to the rooftop
viewing platform and observatory above. This generous staircase
can be used as seating for classes and lectures or just enjoying the
view.
The Classroom/Library
The room below the telescope on the first floor will be a combination
classroom and library. It will also serve as an exhibit space and will
hold and display the Observatory’s additional telescopes: an award
winning 15-inch Newtonian Reflector which was donated to the proj-
ect, a 7” Meade Maksutov, and 4 other telescopes including a 40mm
Coronado solar telescope. It will also house the beautiful antique
Linfield Telescope, on loan to the Observatory from Linfield College.
These telescopes can be moved out onto the Star Terrace for star
gazing events through a large door.
A telescope no longer peeks from that rounded roof,
fueling dreams of space travel. But at more than 120 years old,
Linfield’s observatory remains one of the most recognizable
buildings on campus. It brought the view of distant planets
and galaxies to many a student, as well as adults and children
in McMinnville who gathered during major celestial events.
The late Winthrop Dolan, who served Linfield for 60 years
as a professor, interim president, dean of faculty and trustee,
also taught astronomy, which seemed to fit perfectly with his
fascination with sundials. The observatory was built in 1893-
94 at a cost of $2,500 and rested near Pioneer Hall until the
1950s when it was moved to its current location, what was then
the south boundary of campus. Now it stands as a sentinel to
the Keck Campus. The original six-inch refracting telescope
was replaced with a much better reflector telescope with
full computer controls. That telescope was used for
several years and for several senior theses including one
detecting orbital periods of binary stars, according to
Bill Mackie ’71, professor of physics. The telescopes
are all currently in storage and the observatory now
sports a green dome to reflect its current use,
housing Linfield’s Office of Sustainability.
Stargazing
2 0 - l i n f i e l d m a g a z i n e Fall 2015 Fall 2015 l i n f i e l d m a g a z i n e - 2 1
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THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING
IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF PLANEWAVE INSTRUMENTS.
ANY REPRODUCTION IN PART OR AS A WHOLE
WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF PLANEWAVE
INSTRUMENTS IS PROHIBITED.
PROPRIETARY AND CONFIDENTIAL
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
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Note: Images on the following pages are of spaces that are analogous
to what is planned for the Observatory to illustrate the design intent. All
photos are used with permission.

8. 8 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Elements of the Observatory
The Planetarium
The Planetarium is a small circular theater that features a GOTO
projector with a complete sound system, 20 foot diameter dome,
and seating for 45 people. The planetarium will be used by teach-
ers, residents of all ages, and visitors to Yamhill County for educa-
tion, events, star parties, lectures and entertainment. Much of the
Planetarium equipment was donated to the project from Pomona
College in Los Angeles.
The Multi-Use Lecture, Exhibit, and “Wonder” Space
At the center of the facility is a flexible space that can be used for
a variety of programmed functions as well as an exhibit space for
casual visitors. A movable wall allows the space to transform from
a small, relatively intimate environment of quiet contemplation, to a
large event space for lectures. The space features an oculus sky-
light with views of the day and night sky, with a movable diaphragm
aperture which allows it to be closed off.
A flexible array of digital screens and a high-quality sound system
will show educational programming for casual visitors and will dou-
ble as presentation equipment for lectures and events.
The Maker Space
At the Northernmost end of the facility will be a multi-use Maker
Space that will serve as a shop and classroom for hands-on
activites such as telescope fabrication and repair. It will feature
flexible bench space and basic power tools. A large viewing win-
dow will allow the activites to be safely viewed by visitors to the
Observatory.

9. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 9
Elements of the Observatory
Donor Recognition - Selling Stars
Donors that help create and endow The Observatory will be recog-
nized using a creative donor-recognition system featuring stars and
constellations. Similar to fundraising schemes that sell bricks, con-
tributors to the project can purchase individual stars or even whole
constellations. Over time, these stars will be added to until the whole
ceiling is covered. This system may be digital or may be physical,
but visitors will be able to look up and find their stars on the ceiling
of the Observatory lobby.
This does not preclude the ability to name individual elements of the
project or, with a lead gift, name the entire Observatory.
Arrival Plaza and Exterior Exhibits
The Arrival Plaza is the connection point between the Evergreen
Museum and the Observatory. The plaza paving will be themed
with constellations or other astronomical motifs, and there will be
celestial sculptures to attract visitors and create moments for selfies.
The ramp that ascends from the Arrival Plaza along the side of the
building, and the Star Terrace itself, will contain exterior exhibits that
discuss planetary systems and astronomical phenomena.
The Gift Shop and Other Support Spaces
Rounding out the program for the Observatory will be a small gift
shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs and appropriately
themed gifts, books, and toys, as well as snacks and beverages.
In addition, the facility will include restrooms, a central server room
for computer equipment and show controls, a catering kitchen that
will double as a breakroom for staff and volunteers, and a small
second-floor office suite for on-site staff.
There will also be plenty of storage for teaching materials, equip-
ment, and stacking tables and chairs for events.

10. 10 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Inspiration, Placemaking, Geometry
Classical observatories such as Grenwich and even more modern
installations such as the Griffith were infused with arts that spoke of
the “poetry of the spheres” and the wonder that all people feel when
contemplating the cosmos. Especially in Oregon, with our ongoing
tradition of craft, it will be important to incorporate art into the new
facility.
While not nearly as dramatic in scale or location as some of the
world’s great remote observatories, we are mindful of the notion
of the ascent the hilltop from which we observe the heavens. The
Observatory is purposely designed with an ascending progression of
spaces to speak to this feeling.

11. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 11
Inspiration, Placemaking, Geometry
Humans have long been entranced and inspired by the beauty of the
underlying geometries of the universe, and we seek to incorporate a
rigorous underlying pattern to the planning of the Observatory.

12. 12 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Concept Plans
Conceptual First Floor Plan
Partial First Floor Plan in Lecture Configuration
0' 8' 16' 32'
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13. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 13
Concept Plans
0' 8' 16' 32'
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14. 14 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Concept Design

15. The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture • 15
Concept Design

16. Year 1
Projected Schedule
Year 2 Year 3
16 • The Carlton Observatory at Evergreen Concept Design • Dangermond Keane Architecture
Program, Budget, and Schedule Approximate Program of Areas
Space No. Each (sf) Total (sf) Notes
Grand Hall/Lobby 1 1,500 1,500
Shop//Maker Space 1 600 600
Exhibits/Lecture 1 1,000 1,000 Doubles as lecture hall, pre-show for planetarium
Planetarium 1 400 400 45 Seats in Fixed Benches
Server/Controller Room 1 150 150
Observatory Lower Area 1 850 850 Classroom/Library/Resources
Observatory Upper Area 1 320 320
General Storage 1 150 150 Tables and Chairs, Education Storage
Gift Shop 1 220 220
Gift Shop Storage 1 100 100
Offices 3 120 360
Kitchen/break/conference 1 190 190 Catering prep, staff use
Custodial 1 80 80
All Access Toilets 1 300 300
Net 6,220
25% Gross 1,555 Elevator, Mechanical, Circulation
Total 7,775 sf
Outdoor Areas:
Outdoor stargazing terrace 1 2,000 2,000 sf
Arrival Plaza 1 1,000 1,000 sf
Outdoor Ramp/Exhibits 1 1,000 1,000 sf
Parking 19 320 6,080 sf
Preliminary Budget: Area Unit Total
Building and Grounds Construction 7,775 400
$ 6,600,000
$
Telescopes, gear, furniture, equip. 200,000
$
Special Systems, Audiovisual 150,000
$
Exhibits Allowance 500,000
$
Design contingency 10% 695,000
$
Estimated Soft Costs 30% 2,443,500
$
10,588,500
$
Includes excavation and site prep, utilities
AV, projectors, sound system
Indoors and outdoors, includes design fees
Permits, design and engineering fees, insurance,
publicity, legal, inspections, etc
The program, budget, and schedule described on this page are
conceptual in nature—detailed design will refine both the building
size and the costs, and the pace of fundraising will naturally affect
the schedule.
Construction budget figures are based on a detailed estimate by
Perlo Construction, based on the concept drawings shown in this
document as well as review of the site conditions. Non-construction
costs are estimated from similar recently completed facilities.
Major construction cost drivers at this early stage are believed to be
bringing utilities to the site and the amount of excavation and retain-
ing required to modify the existing berm. The estimated costs at this
point are fairly conservative—for example, soils conditions analysis
may make the foundation systems less expensive. Escalation costs
will vary depending on the time required for fundraising and the
currently volatile construction market.
Costs assume advanced sustainability solutions for the facility
including photovoltaic panels, high-efficiency building envelopes,
planted roofs, geothermal energy systems, and radiant heating with
little or no cooling. Although the numbers include appropriate con-
tingencies, there are enough variables in the design to also allow for
cost savings in the future; for example, less parking could be built,
or less exterior area could recieve paving.
Costs include escalation assuming a contract date of June 2022.
Initial Fundraising
Detailed Design and Documents
Construction and Exhibits Installation
Permitting
Bidding
Capital Campaign