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KEY ALIGNMENTS
Star Axis
Charles Ross
Although still under construction, this project was conceived in 1971
to become an architectonic Earth & Star Structure aligned with the
geometry of the stars to be experienced at human scale.
This experience is something to be explored at the Square Tower
with local alignments, to provide accessibility to all.
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The design of the roof sculpture has been defined by key alignments,
putting the Square Tower at the centre.
Each alignment has a significant story linking to the Square Tower itself,
Portsmouth and maritime history which will then help with the museum
narrative.
From the history of mapping and navigation, the narrative becomes
more specific, looking at the history of the Square Tower and its role as a
semaphore tower linking Portsmouth to the Old Admiralty in London and
then moving to the Historic Dockyards.
The museum explores ‘Lost at Sea’ through interacting with significant
wrecks which include:
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- SMS Nurnberg
- L’Invincible
- HMS A1
- HMT Arfon
Through research the more obvious key alignments have been
acknowledged like the Mary Rose, but other characters which are less
known provide exciting stories to draw more visitors in.
From the Star Axis to sea charts and mapping the form has continued
in a curved shape which contrasts the building’s geometry but will be
complimented with the choice of material.
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