The Cubic Observatories
A great value, simple timber observatory design with unbeatable performance.
Sometimes, simple is best, and that’s certainly true here. This square observatory is built with incredible attention to detail, and its understated exterior hides the fact that it’s a product a decade of experience that means it will perform for many years to come.
This is the first of our observatories to feature our chunky tanalised redwood ‘featheredge’ cladding – a premium quality timber cladding that will weather alongside the frame and gradually turn a beautiful silver grey.
We’ve so far built examples in 6×6′ and 7×7′ sizes as shown in the gallery below – but we can build to any size from 6×6′ upwards.
I’ve had a great experience with the full service provided at Outsideology.
Tony Horton
EPDM FLAT ROOF
Our ‘flat’ roof (it has a slight angle to allow rainwater to drain off) is covered with a single-piece EPDM rubber membrane. The lack of any joints means there’s no leaks, and the tough rubber membrane resists damage by impact or weathering, resulting in an expected 50-year lifespan. Where appropriate, we’ll fit a gutter on the low side to channel water away safely to the ground.
Featheredge Cladding
Our chunky featheredge cladding is made from premium quality rough-sawn redwood timber, which is tanalised treated for exceptional longevity. It can be stained or left to naturally silver over time as it weathers. Its simple lapped installation style allows the structure to breathe and permits the cladding to expand and contract as the moisture level changes.
Built-In LED Lighting
Our latest observatories feature striking red and white LED light built into the walls! The separately-switched red and white strips are driven by very high quality power supplies and use a Varilight VPro dimmer, allowing them to be dimmed to almost nothing – so you can have as much or as little light as you wish. Building them into the walls means no bulky fittings or obstructions, maximising the space in your observatory.
| Overall Size (mm): | 2100 (L) x 2100 (W) x 2261 (H) or 1800 (L) x 1800 (W) x 2208 (H) (as depicted – other sizes available) |
| Observatory Size (Internal, mm): | 1890 (L) x 1890 (W) x 1821 (H) or 1572 (L) x 1572 (W) x 1780 (H) (as depicted – other sizes available) |
| Warm Room Size (Internal, mm): | Not included |
| Total length including frame (mm): | 4200 or 3472 |
| Roof type: | Flat (pent) roof |
| Exterior Cladding: | Tanalised redwood featheredge |
| Interior Wall Lining: | OSB3 |
| Roof Covering: | One-piece EPDM rubber membrane |
| Roof Pitch: | <1 degree |
| Additional Features: | LED lighting strip built into walls |
| Location: | Various around the UK |
| Completed: | Various dates |
| Approximate Project Cost*: | £5,240 (7′) or £4,500 (6′) |
* Approximate project cost does not include VAT, haulage, groundworks, telescope or pier, and represents what a similar project might cost if completed now, including any improvements to our base specification.
I’ve had a great experience with the full service provided at Outsideology. From the day I first met Neil at the Practical Astronomy Show, where we exchanged contact details, through to the handover of the final build, I have been very pleased with the whole process. I was kept informed of the progress of the design and build, and any questions were answered promptly.
Tony Horton
The day of the build, Neil and Jeremy arrived at our house, and immediately started unloading and constructing. The whole build was completed in around 8 hours. They did a great job, producing an observatory exactly as per the agreed plans. Everything was left clean and tidy once they had finished, and during the handover, all aspects of the build were explained and demonstrated to me.
Overall, I am very pleased indeed.
I have been planning to obtain an observatory for some time and contacted Neil at Outsideology Ltd to discuss my requirements. He delivered detailed plans for the observatory along with footing requirements with his quotation which meant it was easy to check it was what I was after and enabled me to arrange for the footings to be completed prior to Neil delivering and installing the observatory. It took them just over a day to erect the observatory, pier and install the electrics. I was very impressed with the obvious attention to detail they had applied at all phases of the build and installation and just how solid the structure was. All that was left for me to do was mount my telescope on the supplied pier and await a clear night to polar align the scope (which I have now done). I am very satisfied with the set up I now have and the savings in time it affords me so that I can make the most of cloud free nights observing rather than having to set up a telescope each time. A minor issue I had with a faulty dimmer switch for the lights in the observatory was quickly resolved by Neil. I would highly recommend Neil and his company to anyone who wants an observatory. They clearly understand what is needed and deliver what they promise. Many thanks.
Arthur Williams