The Internet Observatory is a conceptual structure by Michael Jantzen that translates the abstract nature of internet connectivity into a physical architectural experience. Designed as an outdoor installation, the project uses a large grid-like support frame to represent the internet’s network structure, while an enclosed curved chamber serves as the space where users engage with digital information. Visitors access the interior by climbing a staircase to an elevated platform, where a rotating workstation sits at the center of the structure beneath a glass floor.
A series of movable curved panels allows the enclosure to shift between open and closed configurations depending on how the space is being used. The panels can also function as projection surfaces for images and sound drawn from online sources, creating an immersive environment around the occupant. Content displayed inside may also appear on the exterior faces of the panels, making the experience visible to surrounding visitors.
Internet Viewing Pavilions
The Internet Observatory Visualizes Connectivity Through Architecture
Trend Themes
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Architectural Data Visualization — Physical structures that translate invisible digital networks into spatial experiences are creating new formats for public education, branded environments, and civic technology engagement.
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Immersive Projection Pavilions — Curved movable surfaces that display online imagery and sound suggest a shift toward adaptable venues where digital content becomes part of the built environment.
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Interactive Public Observatories — Elevated viewing chambers with responsive workstations are redefining how visitors encounter information, blending observation, participation, and spectacle in shared spaces.
Industry Implications
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Architecture — Conceptual pavilions that merge connectivity, motion, and media point to new possibilities for buildings that function as both infrastructure metaphors and interactive interfaces.
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Experiential Design — Immersive installations using online content as dynamic material are expanding the role of designed environments in entertainment, education, and public engagement.
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Digital Media — Network-sourced visuals projected across interior and exterior surfaces highlight emerging channels for ambient storytelling, data-driven art, and place-based communication.