Cyprus
The National Star Observatory of Cyprus by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects is the country’s first observatory, located in the UNESCO-listed Troodos mountain range.
Set in a remote village facing economic decline and population loss, its architecture intentionally creates a landmark destination — welcoming scientists and amateurs alike, drawing visitors, creating local employment, and catalyzing a microeconomy.
Troodos Observatory by Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects, won an 2026 International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
The observatory houses two high-tech telescopes, as well as an astro-marina for amateur astronomers, alongside other amenities.
Whilst public buildings are usually found in urban locations, this one reclaims a rural site, transforming isolation into invitation, and a quiet village into a national destination.
The small rural village of Agridia’s brief was to design a star observatory housing two telescopes — one night-sky/ one solar.
While the program was modest, the design team saw an opportunity to expand its ambition: to create not just a scientific facility, but a place of aspiration. And help with the underlying need to regenerate the village.
The goal became to embed the observatory in the local landscape and community, and position it as a national and international destination for education, discovery, and inspiration.
The project faced several constraints. Budget limitations demanded that every square meter be optimised and that standard local construction techniques were used. Locally available materials were sourced at every opportunity.
A local contractor and subcontractors – many family-run — were engaged, reinforcing a strong sense of community ownership.
The remote mountainous site posed further challenges. A narrow, steep, uneven plot required a slim architectural footprint, resulting in a building that responds directly to the topography.
Despite financial limitations, the design was carefully crafted to feel both grounded and expansive — rooted in its context, yet oriented toward the sky.
Material choices reflect the project’s ethos: resilience and wonder. The low-maintenance interiors use marine plywood, contrasting with a metal skin that allows the structure to disappear into the landscape and bring focus to the act of looking out to the stars.
The building becomes not only a place for scientific observation, but a quiet monument to collective ambition- a celebration of curiosity, community and the cosmos.
Project: Troodos Observatory
Architects: Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects
Lead Architect: Elena K. Tsolakis
Design Team: Nicodemos K. Tsolakis and Cassandra K. Tsolakis
Associate Architects: Kyriakos Tsolakis Architects
General Contractor: Ioannis Mantis J. Mantis Construction Ltd,
J. Mantis Constuction Ltd
Client: Mr Savvas Maliotis Fila Group, Agridia Community Council
Photographers: Aaron Miles
