Sunshower Pavilion marks the destination of the journey; a sheltering oasis from the heat and a gathering place for rest. Its structure has affinities to an earth station, a hogan, or an observatory. The terraced basin is grounded and carved into the ear th, while the parabolic dome overhead reflects the sky. A curved walkway aligned along an east/west axis bisects the center of the terraces. Upon entering the shelter, a shower of rain flows from the perimeter of the roof enveloping the interior both phys ically and acoustically. The wall of water joins land to sky forming an enclosed sanctuary. Sounds of falling water and human voices reverberate and focus between the dome and the basin as the water flows through the terraces and recirculates back to the roof. Similar to a whispering gallery, the two parabolic surfaces focus sounds from above and below to a central point at the listeneršs ears. Sun Shower Pavilion is an observatory for exploring light and sound wave phenomena. Overhead, light entering star perforations in the dome reflects off the water surface and casts prismatic effects in the falling mist.

Acoustic Water Lens / Terrace

The terraces form a series of concentric rings that function similarly to solar arrays comprised of circles of small mirrors aimed at a central focal point. In this case, the concrete rings act as a lens to focus sound waves. When water flows over the terraces, it enhances the reflective potential of the lens, and the modulating effect is clearly audible.

Sunlight / Shadow Play

The precession of the star map for the millenium is drilled into the stainless steel dome. This map is of the identical constellations visible in the midnight sky during the winter solstice and invisible at noon on the summer solstice in the year 2000. During the day, sunlight shining through the holes projects an image of the night sky by casting a positive image of the unseen. At night, the effect is reversed; floodlights from below illuminate the star patterns on the outside of the dome with pinpoints of light.