Holt | Sun Tunnels: Four concrete tubes align to the solstice

Holt | Sun Tunnels: Four Concrete Tubes Aligned to Solstices
In the desert, four concrete cylindrical tubes, each approximately 2.8 meters in diameter, are arranged in an X-shape on the ground, facing each other in pairs. Their axes are precisely aligned with the directions of sunrise and sunset on the summer and winter solstices—only on those days will sunlight penetrate from one end of the tube to the other. Circular holes of varying sizes are drilled into each tube wall, corresponding to specific constellations, allowing sunlight to pass through during the day, casting moving patterns of light points (a star map) inside the tube. The concrete is rough precast, retaining formwork marks, and weathering over years. The surroundings are completely empty white salt flats and distant mountains. Photograph from inside one of the tubes looking out at sunrise, with light penetrating the tube body and light spots from the holes falling on the curved inner wall. Avoid: arbitrary tube axis directions, removal of holes, addition of bases and explanations, presence of vegetation or buildings in the surroundings.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

在沙漠中,四根直徑約二點八公尺的混凝土圓管以 X 形排列在地面上,兩兩相對,軸線精確對準夏至與冬至日出日落的方位——只有那幾天,陽光會從管的一端貫穿到另一端。每根管壁上鑽有大小不一的圓孔,對應特定的星座,白天陽光穿過孔洞在管內投下移動的光點星圖。混凝土為粗糙的預鑄件,表面留有模板痕,隨年月風化。周圍為完全空曠的白色鹽鹼地與遠山。日出時從一根管的內部向外拍攝,光穿透管身,孔洞的光斑落在弧形內壁。避免:管軸方向隨意、拿掉孔洞、加設基座與說明、周圍有植栽或建物。