Solstice Window
2000
·
Durango, Colorado
+ Project Details
Abstract
A precast concrete window that catches the summer solstice sunrise and projects a spiral of light across the Great Hall of the Center of Southwest Studies. Each year the museum opens before dawn so the public can watch it.
Narrative
Each summer, sunlight enters the Solstice Window at sunrise on the solstice and collimates a shaft of light across the Great Hall of the Center of Southwest Studies, projecting the form of a spiral onto the opposite wall.
The window is a 450-pound block of pre-cast concrete with an opening in the shape of a spiral, inspired by Ancient Puebloan architecture and aligned to the summer solstice. It is located on the campus of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.
The Center opens before sunrise on the day of the solstice — around 5:45 am — and the public is invited to come be a part of this annual celebration.
Thanks to Don Asquin, astronomer extraordinaire, for collaborating on the window alignment.
