Aaron Dorf, Kirsten Hively, Rebecca Hutchinson, Adam Modesitt, Harvard Graduate
School of Design
Submission 0180
View design boards :: Juror's comments
PanOptical Camouflage
PanOptical Camouflage inverts the cyclorama by bringing the memory of the
circular viewing screen outside of the building walls. By projecting images
of the interior (live feeds, pre-recorded video, and specially staged mini-theater)
on the exterior, the heart of the building is revealed and the walls dissolve
to draw in casual voyeurs. Unlike traditional static camouflage, PanOptical
Camouflage is inspired by existing Optical Camouflage technology using cameras
and projectors not so much to hide as to reveal, giving observers the perception
of being in two spaces simultaneously: a double observer both inside and outside.
The projections are captured on a unifying ribbon of translucent screens offset
from the existing historic facade and raised above the heads of pedestrians.
Using minimal connections and standard airplane hangar, bi-fold door hardware,
individual screens can flatten completely to provide a continuous projection
surface, unfold partially fold to provide a selectively three-dimensional
viewing surface, visible down the street, or fold away completely to reveal
the original façades beyond and provide awning-like shade. The ribbon
selectively shifts, breaks up, and pulls away from the façades to define
new plaza spaces while allowing pedestrian flow beneath.
On the ground a low wall shifts and folds to further define public spaces
at the sidewalk level and becomes benches, a fountain, and planters. Lights
embedded at grade texture the surface, providing a grain under foot, over
benches and along walls to further enliven the plazas and sidewalks.
Juror's comments
Toshiko Mori
As a conceptual project it tackles the issue of inside::out quite well because it is actually the cyclorama unwrapped. Also the canopy is open and closed; it has a kinetic quality to it. That's what we like about it; there was both a civic scale and a community scale at the different levels.
Ann McQueen
Perhaps there is too much structure to the screen. I am very concerned about the transparency and how the louvers work because I want to see the facade of the Cyclorama.
Gary Hilderbrand
But can you take over the street to that degree? This is a proposition that says you can. You can bring the identity fully out to Tremont Street and then within, it is still possible to have a public stage where in fact you don't control people's behavior. There can be a high degree of spontaneity and community uses that you don't object to. It is an interesting conundrum in a way. It hits the program goal of identity and public space right on the head.