The document discusses the transformation of Montreal's former Dow Planetarium into the headquarters for ETS Centech, a technology accelerator. The design aimed to enhance natural light while preserving the building's unique circular form, incorporating elements inspired by the astrolabe and universal motion. Vertical slats and concentric circles create a dynamic, central hub that organizes the interior space.

1. Dow Planetarium
Transformed into Science-
Informed Tech Center
Wayne Schepens

2. Introduction
 Wayne Schepens is a Baltimore, Maryland executive who leads the
PR and marketing firm LaunchTech as managing director. Among
Wayne Schepens’ areas of interest is the emerging spatial design
sphere, which combines interior and architectural design with the
surrounding landscape.
An example of this multifaceted approach is the recently completed
transformation of Montreal’s former Dow Planetarium into the
headquarters of ETS Centech, a major Canadian technology
accelerator. With the planetarium, located in the Quartier de
l’Innovation, having closed its doors to the public in 2011, a core
challenge involved opening up the heart of the structure to light.

3. Dow Planetarium
 At the same time, the design team sought to preserve the spirit of a
circular building described as “obscure and opaque.”
As reported in World Architecture News, the designers took
inspiration from the astrolabe, an instrument used historically to
measure the sky’s inclined position relative to a celestial body, as
well as principles underlying the perpetual motion of the universe.
Vertical slats on the walls are interspersed with concentric circles in
ways that convey a sense of spinning and mechanical rotation
around a central space. With this circular central area openly
accessible, it acts as a hub for the building’s overall spatial
organization.