The Resilient Observatories
A significant development of our earlier “Cubic”, the Resilient Observatories add even more longevity, reliability and refinement.
Our previous “Cubic” style of observatory has proved ever more popular, particularly as our customers move towards remote astrophotography rigs and away from the traditional ‘warm room’ observatories.
So for 2026, we redesigned the Cubic from the ground up – making it faster to install and easier to relocate, improving its weatherproofing and reducing the use of exterior timber to reduce maintenance. For the first time, we’ve moved away from the ‘frame built’ design and the corner posts are gone… replaced with galvanised adjustable feet to make it simple to level the whole structure.
Every one of our Resilient observatories is supplied with a UPVC shed-style door (aluminium glazed doors are available as an upgrade), providing vastly-improved stability over the previous timber doors.
Internally we’ve made improvements too – with new sturdier wall design and a fantastic choice of internal wall linings to suit your style and budget.
We’ve upgraded electrics with options for 12V power at the pier and dotless LED lighting, and now, for the first time, we offer our own near-silent motorised roof – a huge leap forward in quality and reliability compared to competitors’ designs that rely on Arduino-based controllers.
I am over the moon with my custom made roll-off roof observatory from Outsideology. It’s refreshing to find a company that delivers projects on schedule and on budget with high quality materials and skilled workmanship.
Phil Wickson
Have it your way!
Our Resilient Observatories are as unique as the customer we build them for:
- Choose literally any width, length and height – down to the millimetre.
- Chose from Flat, Pitched or Hipped roofs
- Choose any type of exterior cladding
- Choose any door colour
- Choose any interior finish
- Choose your level of automation (from none to completely!)
- Choose your pier
- Choose a desk or shelves or anything else
- Your door can be on any side, in any position
- Your roof can roll off in any direction
- Choose a simple roll-off frame, a Japanese-style pergola, or anything else
- Choose your foundation – concrete pads, ground screws or just place it on an existing hardstanding of any type
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): | Can be built to any size from 4’x4′ up to 10’x10′ or even larger. Can be square or rectangular. |
| Observatory Size (Internal, mm): | Generally 200mm smaller than the overall size |
| Warm Room Size (Internal, mm): | Not included |
| Total length including frame (mm): | Approximately twice the length of the observatory size. |
| Roof type: | Flat (pent) roof, Pitched or Hipped (Pyramid) roof |
| Exterior Cladding: | Tanalised redwood featheredge, HardiePlank or Durasid Composite, Thermowood, or anything else! |
| Interior Wall Lining: | OSB3, Marine Ply (painted) or Nordic Pro Wall (painted) |
| Roof Covering: | One-piece EPDM rubber membrane or Envirotile |
| Roof Pitch: | <1 degree to 25 degrees |
| Additional Features: | LED lighting strip built into walls, roof motor or full automation options available. |
| Location: | Various around the UK |
| Completed: | From 2025 onward |
| Approximate Project Cost*: | £7,000 Upwards |
* 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 am over the moon with my custom made roll-off roof observatory from Outsideology. It’s refreshing to find a company that delivers projects on schedule and on budget with high quality materials and skilled workmanship. Neil and brother Jeremy drove the project through from initial site scoping / design visit to final stage pier/telescope install/ set-up. The stainless steel rolling gear makes light work of opening and closing the roof. The fibre-cement cladding provides a very consistent high-quality durable finish and the whole structure blends very well into our rural garden. 240v power and LAN was also built in. Security is well considered with a strong multi-locking UPVC door and roof locks. Even the flooring is designed to last. I was told it is the same material as used in horse boxes.
Phil Wickson
It’s now a fortnight since Neil, Jeremy and the team completed the observatory and in that time I have set up the telescope and completed several observing sessions. I can honestly say it’s very hard to imagine how the whole project could have turned out better than it has. As well as the superb build quality, the patience, advice and experience which Neil brought to the design process, as I chopped and changed my mind, was crucial to the successful outcome.
Tony Vale
Neil, Jeremy & Harry have just finished the build of my new observatory. They were friendly, very hard-working and made sure to clean up thoroughly at the end of each day.
Brian Tayler
The quality of materials used and the build is superb.