2 story observatory

[iamzoso60]

Next year I plan to build a 2 story observatory in my garden, with the bottom section as my shed and the top tier as the observatory.

The main build part will be no probs but has anyone any ideas as to how to do the roof?

[Ben Ritchie]

Dome? Would have thought a 2-story roll-off would be a bit "interesting"

[iamzoso60]

Possible, but the main structure will be square, so marrying up a dome and making it watertight may be a problem. But, I dont know. I'll do a bit of searching on the net for ideas.

This will be a Spring project, so at the moment I have plenty of time.

[lukebl]

Interesting idea, but you are going to need a very tall and sturdy pier (going into the ground) if you are to avoid problems with vibration.

[ollypenrice]

I agree with Luke. Mounting a scope on a suspended floor is not a good idea.

Olly

[Bizibilder]

You may also run into planning trouble - You will need to investigate but I believe that there is a limit on height for "sheds" no matter what their purpose.

[Chris H]

As long as you are within the following guide lines you won't need planning permission.

• No outbuilding on land forward of a wall forming the principal elevation. (that means not in front of the house).
  
• Outbuildings and garages to be single storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres and maximum overall height of four metres with a dual pitched roof or three metres for any other roof.
  
• Maximum height of 2.5 metres in the case of a building, enclosure or container within two metres of a boundary of the curtilage of the dwellinghouse (that means the boundary of the whole plot).
  
• No verandas, balconies or raised platforms.
  
• No more than half the area of land around the “original house” would be covered by additions or other buildings.
  

That's assuming you live in the UK.

[iamzoso60]

Mmmmmmm, never gave the planning a thought.

Oh well, a little more thinking to do!