The Think Tank
(A special kind of retreat structure)
Michael Jantzen
© 2015
www.archinect.com/michael-jantzen/projects
The Think Tank is a conceptual design for a special kind of retreat structure inspired by the Santa Fe Institute (which is one of the most important science research centers in the world) located in Santa Fe New Mexico. Complexity theory is one of the institute’s primary areas of research. The Think Tank was designed to provide the SFI community with a very special functional place in which to gather together to exchange ideas, and hopefully be symbolically inspired by the structure to think more creatively about their own work.
The Think Tank is also designed to gather solar energy through a large array of solar cells mounted on the top of the cone shaped section of the structure, and convert it into electricity to light the space at night, and to help power the institute. In addition, rainwater is collected off of the roof and directed down into storage containers to supplement the water needs of the institute.
Eight large curved glass panels are mounted around the lower cylindrical portion of the structure. Four of these are stationary, and four can be rotated around the perimeter of the cylinder in order to partially open up the interior space and/or completely enclose it. There are also four slatted curved panels that can be rotated into any position around the perimeter of the cylinder over the glass, in order to shade the interior space. The interior cylindrical space has been left open in order allow the users to occupy it in any way they see fit, with or without furniture, equipment, etc.
It is a tradition at the SFI for the researchers to often write mathematical equations (that describe their work) onto the glass doors and windows of the institute. In keeping with this tradition, they would be encouraged to use the curved glass panels of the Think Tank in the same way. Unlike the glass doors and window of the institute, the curved panels of the Think Tank can be moved into different positions over one another, where the equations might form unforeseen serendipitous results.
In these ways, the entire structure becomes both physically and conceptually open to many important interactive variations, which will hopefully inspire the researches to think in more unexpected ways.
Symbolically the architecture of the Think Tank refers to a large antenna mounted on the top of the structure that is always searching for inspiration from the cosmos, for the SFI community. As the conceptual inspiration (along with the solar energy and rainwater) is collected, it is sent down (through the concentric rings designed into the perimeter of the structure) into the SFI community and beyond, through their work, which can have a positive effect on the entire world.
Status: Unbuilt
