[Here’s an intriguing proposal for one or many structures called Telepresence Observation Pavilions. It’s from the Trend Hunter website, where you can find seven more images. For more about the person proposing the Pavilions and his other work, see architect Michael Jantzen‘s page on the site (and for more about Trend Hunter see the site’s About page). –Matthew]

The Telepresence Observation Pavilion

January 12, 2026

The Telepresence Observation Pavilion is a proposal for an observation tower that does not have to be fabricated in the traditional way, in order for visitors to enjoy elevated views of various landscapes. In this case, real time sights and sounds are recorded by a 360-degree high definition camera module mounted on the top of a tall series of telescoping pipes, located at the center of the pavilion. These sights and sounds are sent down into the main visitors viewing portion of the pavilion, and are displayed as a 360-degree view of the surrounding elevated landscape, onto a series of large high definition TV screens that surround the entire upper portion of the interior wall space of the pavilion, and as a result, appear to be actual windows through which the visitors can see and hear in real time, what they would see and hear if they were actually standing at the height where the camera module is located.

Of course in this case, a large physical structure does not have to be built in order for the visitors to enjoy an elevated view of the surrounding landscape. In addition, what makes this design even more eco-friendly is the fact that many camera modules can be installed anywhere on the earth (maybe one day in space and on other planets) on top of existing structures like communication towers, high mountain retreats, and on the tops of large urban buildings. As a result, that information could be sent to the visitors via the Internet to any one of the Observation Pavilions, where they could enjoy real-time sights and sounds from all of these other places. Not unlike changing the channels on your TV, visitors could select the real-time elevated view they want in their pavilion at any time.

The pavilion is designed to be powered by eight large solar panels that are mounted on the roof, around a large central skylight. The skylight is penetrated at its center by the telescoping pipe tower, which is mounted to the floor of the inside of the pavilion. A circular seat is built in around the pipe tower for the visitors. The rest of the interior space is open except for a guardrail around the perimeter of the space set back in front of the TV screens, in order to keep the visitors a safe distance away.

This project is part of a series of design explorations into ways in which information technology can be used to replace and/or reduce the amount of physical building materials normally used in the construction industry.

Status: Unbuilt

[Additional information about the proposal from Trend Hunter posted by member Amy Duong  on January 12, 2026]

Trend Themes

1. Remote Telepresence Technology – The adoption of telepresence technology allows users to experience distant environments in real-time, transforming the way we engage with remote locations.

2. Sustainable Observation Design – Innovative design solutions that minimize material usage and environmental disruption are reshaping the construction of observation structures.

3. Immersive Virtual Experiences – The demand for immersive virtual experiences is driving new formats of interaction that replicate real-world scenarios through technology-based simulations.

Industry Implications

1. Architecture and Construction – Advancements in structural design and sustainable materials are redefining the possibilities for non-traditional building projects.

2. Renewable Energy Integration – Integrating solar technology in structural designs highlights an opportunity for energy-efficient, self-sufficient infrastructure.

3. Tourism and Recreation – Changes in how we experience tourist locations through technology offer novel approaches to engaging with leisure and travel activities.