Fallen Star

The Fallen Star is a cottage that appears to have fallen from the sky. It landed on the corner of the Saint Jacob School of Engineering building on the UC San Diego campus. The house installation is a true architectural wonder by South Korean artist Do Ho Suh.

The cottage is suspended 7 stories up in the air and sits at a precarious angle appearing like it will continue its fall at any moment. From the rooftop garden, you have access to great views of the rest of the campus.

Fallen Star - one of the highlights of 10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in San Diego (Read all about San Diego here)

photo by Sam Beebe (CC BY 2.0) modified

Fallen Star highlights

The Fallen Star interiors might be even more amazing. Everything looks just about how it should, with book shelves, chairs, a chandelier, and a fireplace all placed like a regular house. The difference is these are all slanted at an angle and are suspended in the air with minimal foundation for support.

Outside of the cottage on the roof lies its own little green garden with Adirondack chairs placed to enjoy the surroundings. Visitors are welcomed by the resident of the home. The Fallen Star of San Diego weighs about 70,000 pounds and took the country’s largest crane to lift it into position.

photo by Sam Beebe (CC BY 2.0) modified

Good to know when visiting Fallen Star

The artistic story behind the project is an exploration into the idea of what home is. Its themes are home, cultural displacement, and the perception of space and how one builds a memory of it. The idea for the project grew from the artist's own experiences with displacement when he arrived in America.

The Fallen Star is part of the Stuart Collection. The Collection commissions unique sculptures designed by leading, innovative artists to be integrated into the campus. Don't miss the other works of art scattered around the campus.

photo by Leandro Neumann Ciuffo (CC BY 2.0) modified

Location: 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA

Open: Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 2 pm

Phone: +1 858-534-2117

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