Private Residence

An optical telescope retractable roof at a Northern Minnesota private lake lodge opens to provide a 360 degree, unobstructed view of the starlit sky.

Observatory Retractable Roof

Uni-Systems Engineering designed, supplied, and installed the observatory’s 20 by 22-foot retractable roof mechanization. The roof is operated with pushbutton controls, and opens and closes in less than 4 minutes. When open, the roof is fully cantilevered out of sight behind the observatory, allowing the homeowner to enjoy a 180 degree, unobstructed view of the starlit sky.

When opening, the front of the roof is pivoted up 12 degrees by two 5-ton ball screw actuators driven by 1.5 horsepower motors. Once the roof is pivoted, the front of the roof is clear to slide past the top of the telescope. A guide roller system with a rack and pinion system drives the roof 18 feet back, and the ball screw pivots the roof back down.