Celebrating 90 Years of Discovery at Griffith Observatory
Since 1935, Griffith Observatory has connected millions to the stars. For its 90th anniversary, the Observatory unveiled a breathtaking addition to its historic Gravity’s Stairway: the Celestial Globe, a monumental, 800-pound bronze sphere that transforms ancient sky stories into a living exhibit.
But behind this celestial marvel lies another kind of brilliance: structural engineering.
From Constellations to Cantilevers
Inspired by the Farnese Atlas, a second-century sculpture showing constellations as imagined by the ancients, the Celestial Globe showcases 46 Classical constellations cast in bronze. While it captures the beauty of the heavens, installing such a sculpture in a historic and high-traffic site presented a unique challenge.
That’s where Miyamoto International stepped in.
Led by Kenneth Wong, M.Eng., S.E., Miyamoto’s structural engineering team collaborated with artist Cindy Ingraham Keefer, Observatory leadership, and fabricators Patrick Rees and Eduardo Ortiz to bring the vision to life, safely and elegantly.
“We worked closely with the Observatory and the artist to design a support system that would meet the strict structural requirements without interfering with the artistic vision or the existing architecture,” says Wong.
When the Original Vision Didn’t Hold, We Engineered One That Did
The initial concept involved suspending the Globe with cables from the existing ceiling—an idea that proved structurally impractical. Miyamoto designed an alternative: a slender, cantilevered column anchored discreetly to both the basement floor and intermediate stair landing. The result? A seamless integration of form and function, preserving the globe’s floating appearance while meeting rigorous safety standards.
The team also reviewed the structural integrity of the globe itself and secured approvals from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), ensuring the installation met all codes.
Engineering the Future of Public Space
This project is more than an exhibit; it’s a symbol of what happens when art, science, and engineering come together. The Celestial Globe will be experienced by more than 1.5 million annual visitors and 28,000 fifth-grade students who attend the Observatory’s school programs.
It is a testament to public infrastructure done right: resilient, inspiring, and built to last.
At Miyamoto International, we’re proud to have played a part in making this vision real, because when we engineer for the public, we engineer for legacy.
