Liberty Science Center: Designing the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere

At the Liberty Science Center (LSC) in New Jersey sits the largest and most technologically advanced planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. This 27-metre, dome-shaped theatre features an 88-million-pixel screen and a projection system capable of producing trillions of colours, immersive sound, and vivid imagery. Universally accessible, the theatre educates audiences from across the continent about the wonders of the cosmos and the mysteries of space.

With the lofty ambition of becoming the largest planetarium in North American, LSC chose Kasian because of its expertise in designing planetariums all over the world.

Kasian’s Arts & Culture Team began by focusing on the space’s functional requirements, collaborating closely with projection equipment supplier Evans & Sutherland. Through in-between thinking, the team designed an environment that accommodates seven projectors at the rear and four at the front.

Kasian carved into the structure of the building in four separate places to properly place the projectors. This was a significantly complex structural event requiring careful collaboration with engineers. We created special rooms that held the projectors back behind the screen dome and angled the projectors in a way that did not disrupt the audience’s experience.

To create some additional magic, Kasian cleaned up the area behind the dome and installed perforated metal to amplify the somatic wonder of the theatre’s visceral stimuli. Intricate lighting highlights the speakers to allow the audience a ‘behind the scenes’ peak into the dome. We also invested in enhanced ventilation systems, so cool air passes through the dome’s metal to the seats below.

Kasian designed durable infrastructure, a front stage, and multiple barrier-free environments to maximize accessibility, prioritizing comfortable, dark-coloured seating in the centre of the theatre instead of equipment.

Kasian is proud to have collaborated with multiple suppliers and specialists to deliver a cohesive project team.

Recently named one of the ‘Best Science Museums in the U.S.’ by USA Today, the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium is the biggest and best experiential planetarium experience in North America. LSC boasts over 600,000 visitors annually and is one of the most visited cultural spaces in the metropolitan area.

“Kasian worked very closely with us to integrate our projection systems into the building’s existing infrastructure. The results speak for themselves. The planetarium is an unrivalled success, thanks in large part, to the collaborative spirit taken by all involved.” – Kirk Johnson, Executive VP & GM, E&S