Overlaid on top of a regular structural system is a path system based on the path and form of an endless Buddhist knot. A series of knots stacked atop of each other, rotated, and then connected, create an endless wandering space devoid of “here” or “there.” Sensory deprivation tanks are placed throughout the path. Tanks and wandering paths work together to filter out the subject’s psyche and remove sensory stimulation.

While the float tanks serve to deprive the senses in an acute manner, the wandering paths are meant to emulate this phenomenon in longer duration in order to sustain the effects of one’s experience in the tank or prepare the subject for a tank experience through a softer sensory deprivation. The paths blend and morph between levels of open/closedness, hardness/softness, and being live/dead acoustically. They are constructed using a smart-glass-like material, allowing for manipulation of transparency. The soundtrack and musical inspiration for the project was Alva Noto’s “Halliod Xerrox Copy 3 (Paris).”

a. Panoptical observation tower is multiplied by three, arranged in triangular layout, and twisted. These shafts are used as institutional circulation from the institutional base at the bottom of the structure. The multiplication and twisting serves to add to the effects of the wandering space, by not providing a central reference point. b. Structure is added to support triple panopticon. c. Buddhist Endless Knot, multiplied, twisted, connected, is weaved into the structure. d. Place float tanks along wandering paths. e. Basic enclosure/exposure deployment strategy. f. Deployed path types and placed sensory s(t)imulation tanks g. Envelope development: 1. Intersect rectangular prisms. 2. Subtract intersecting volumes. 3. Remainder serves as envelope.

S(t)imulation Tanks