Michael Jantzen takes my breath away. The 61-year-old sustainable designer visualizes structures like an uninhibited preschooler, then harnesses his nearly four decades of experience, allowing him to turn fantasy into function. His structures are the perfect place to do some work, read a book, practice yoga, have a dance party or meditate.
Jantzen’s latest creation is called The Revolutionarium, a space that he deems a new kind of solarium. The prefabricated modular, interactive, functional art structure, is designed to stimulate the creativity of its occupants, Jantzen says. It can also be used as a greenhouse.
At 26 feet in diameter, and 14 feet high, it will be constructed from sustainably-grown wood products, steel, and glass. Four wooden screens can be pulled around the cylinder in a myriad of combinations, allowing the user to control the amount of light and heat from the sun; screens can also be used to control privacy. Eleven windows around the top of the steel and glass cylinder can be opened for ventilation.
If you want to power up your computer, electrical power can be supplied by a small, vertical-axis wind turbine. Photovoltaic solar cells can also be added to supplement the turbine. Energy captured will be stored in a series of batteries housed beneath the floor.
The Revolutionarium shown here is fitted with a movable center desk and chair structure that supports several computers. There’s also a specially designed light and ceiling fan combination mounted above the desk.
Remember the tree house growing up? Well life’s just gotten a whole lot better.