The Transmutation Pavilion from Michael Jantzen
Michael Jantzen
The Transmutation Pavilion is a design proposal for a large, solar powered, interactive, public,
functional art structure. The structure consists of three interlocking cylindrical forms, supported by
four horizontal planes, which in turn are supported by eight vertical columns. Each of the cylindrical
forms are different sizes, and are woven together one inside of the other, in different directions.
Each of the cylindrical forms is fitted with two large, overlapping, sliding curved panels. These panels
can be completely closed and/or opened around each of the cylinders so that two of the interwoven
spaces can be completely opened, closed, and/or set at hundreds of positions between completely
open or completely closed. The center cylinder is oriented in a horizontal position relative to the other
two, which wrap around it in two different directions.
As the curved panels are moved around the three different sized and oriented cylinders, they
open and/or close the total spacial volume in unexpected ways, which radically change the shape of
the structure as well as the views to the outside as seen from within the Transmutation Pavilion. All
of this movement is controlled by the random movements of the visitors as they walk around on the
glass floor of the inner horizontally positioned cylinder. Many pressure sensitive sensors are mounted
in the glass floor. These sensors monitor the movements of the visitors as they move across the floor,
and slowly move the curved panels (with small electric motors) around the three cylinders in ever
changing patterns.
Various stairs throughout the pavilion allow visitors to explore the structure from many different
vantage points as they view the surrounding landscape from ever changing perspectives. All of this
is powered by a large solar cell array that is mounted to one of the large curved panels. When energy
from the sun for the function of the structure is not needed, the excess is sent into the local grid for
use by the community in which the pavilion is built.
The Transmutation Pavilion is just one is a series of my design studies that explore ways in
which the built environment can become more responsive to our needs and/or desires, and do so in
an eco-friendly way.
