sCenarIos desIgn 181 181 F e b r u a r y, 2 0 0 0 Professor JeΩrey Huang and Muriel Waldvogel seem lost in thought as they ponder scale models of the Swisshouse, the new Swiss consulate facility to be built in Boston, Massachusetts . . . . . . Huang and Waldvogel were brought in to conceive the architectural design of the building, which, rather than issuing visas, will serve as a networking and knowledge exchange hub. The two are studying several scenarios of how people will use the Swisshouse, and have constructed both physical models and screenplay-like texts designed to make tangible the purpose of this unprecedented government facility. One scenario describes Nicolas, a brain surgeon who has just moved to Boston from Switzerland. He visits the Swisshouse to meet likeminded scientists and other members of the Swiss-American community. A second scenario tells the story of a Professor Smith, who uses the Swisshouse to present his MIT Media Lab research to Boston’s Swiss community and to academics at two Swiss universities, using a high-speed Internet connection. These scenarios, while simple, are the result of intensive research into roles the new type of consulate might play. The stories illustrate the Swiss government’s intentions and serve as think- ing tools to guide the building’s design. Ultimately, the new facility effectively accommodated the applications imagined and fulfi lled its objectives. Today, almost a decade after its conception, the Swisshouse enjoys an outstanding reputa- tion for helping build stronger international ties in greater Boston’s science and technology communities. Under the banner of the Swiss Knowledge Network, or swissnex, the Swisshouse has inspired “colleague” facilities in Bangalore, San Francisco, Shanghai, and Singapore. F e b r u a r y, 2 0 0 0 Professor JeΩrey Huang and Muriel Waldvogel seem lost in thought as they ponder scale models of the Swisshouse, the new Swiss consulate facility to be built in Boston, Massachusetts . . . bmgen_final.indd 181 6/15/10 5:44 PM