Located on the Southwest corner of Colorado, Chimney Rock stands as an ancient lunar observatory, designed to frame a view of the Moon that only occurs once every 18.6 years. The Chacoan Great House at Chimney Rock, constructed by the Chaco Civilization around 1076 AD, stands to frame the rising of the Moon through Chimney Rock where it appears to rise from the same location for two to three nights in a row (Horn, 1). It is amazing to consider that a preliterate culture was able to observe such a rare celestial event and construct a tool to record is repeated occurrence. But there is enough archaeological evidence to suggest that, "the great structures at Chimney Rock were in fact build for the express purpose of gathering as many people as possible to witness the standstill in one of the few places on earth where geology provides the necessary frame" (Horn, 2).

To be able to create a place, one that is still being used to this day, to observe the passing of lunar events and to bring people together from all over the world, is to create a place of timelessness. Far from being "futuristic" in design, the Chaoans have never the less created architecture for the future. As long as the moon rises and people understand the importance of the location, Chimney Rock and The Chacoan Great House will remain in use.

Not far from the centre of the Chaoan Civilization in New Mexico, a new structure whose purpose is focussed on the sky is appearing in the desert. Spaceport America, designed by Foster + Partners and SMPC Architects, is to be the first private spaceport in the world. It's chief client, Virgin Galactic, will be taking the world's first space tourists to the edge of our atmosphere and back, allowing them to experience near zero gravity for a short period of time.

Designing to inspire and excite the new client base, the shape of the building and its interior, "seek(s) to capture the drama and mystery of space flight" (Foster) while the spaceport itself is integrated into the landscape through the use of high berms and low-slung design (Kaufman). This, in contrast to The Chacoan Great House, is designed to appear "futuristic" and what choice does it have? The new spaceport must function not only as a modified airport but also as a billboard. In order to attract and convince people to pay a huge sum for a few hours of zero gravity, the spaceport must be able to attract its clients by being one of the most enticing structures on the face of the planet. People must feel confident that by passing through the gates of Spaceport America, they will be enjoying the highest comforts money can buy as well as a safe journey. The design of the building in appearance is responsive to its surroundings, as a hill in the landscape though the activities that will occur on the site will not blend in so well, during every take-off and landing. Its organic form has recently become a new appealing aesthetic in architecture as well, making it contemporary in feel and will perhaps afford a longevity of style that will make this design the architecture of the future. But at present, it is difficult to say whether or not this will be the case. Due to be completed sometime in 2010, Spaceport America will be the first private commercial spaceport in the world, but with several nations close at its heels, will it manage to be the most successful?