Building 20 at MIT: A Creative Hub of Innovation
In the early 1940s, as World War II raged on, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) faced a housing crisis for military engineers and scientists. In response, the university constructed a temporary wooden building, known as Building 20. However, what began as a short-term solution became one of the most remarkable and influential structures in the history of American academia. Its unusual layout and unconventional design became a breeding ground for interdisciplinary collaboration that led to groundbreaking research and discoveries that changed the course of history.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Inside Building 20, the boundaries between disciplines blurred, and the traditional silos of knowledge were broken down. You would find physicists working side by side with linguists, architects collaborating with psychologists, and musicians collaborating with computer scientists. The shared spaces and open floor plans facilitated impromptu interactions and serendipitous encounters, enabling individuals from different backgrounds to come together and exchange ideas. This cross-disciplinary approach not only elevated the quality of research conducted within its walls but also inspired a new generation of thinkers.
Spontaneous Hallway Meetings: Building 20 was characterized by unplanned meetings in its hallways, where researchers and students from various disciplines would bump into each other and exchange ideas. These chance encounters often led to innovative collaborations and research breakthroughs.
Diverse Mix of Occupants: Building 20 housed a diverse mix of departments, laboratories, and research groups, creating a unique environment where individuals from different fields came together. The variety of disciplines fostered an environment where exploration and creativity across fields thrived.
Materials, Layout, and Atmosphere
Building 20 at MIT stands out in the world of architecture and innovation. At first, it was just a quick fix, but this unassuming place ended up sparking tons of brilliant ideas and inventions.
Materials: Its design was improvised, using surplus materials, which contributed to its unconventional appearance. The focus was on functionality, rather than elaborate architectural design.
Open Layout: Building 20 had an open layout and a flexible structure, which allowed for spontaneous interactions and cross-disciplinary exchanges among occupants.
Sliding Walls: It had movable walls that could be adjusted to create different room configurations, providing flexibility in accommodating various research needs.
Informal Atmosphere: Building 20 had an open and informal atmosphere that encouraged spontaneous interactions among occupants from diverse disciplines. The presence of courtyards offered spaces for relaxation and impromptu gatherings.
Impact on Innovation
Birth of Bose Corporation: Amar Bose, a graduate student at MIT, used a basement room in Building 20 to work on his research in acoustics. This work eventually led to the founding of the Bose Corporation.
The Development of the Whirlwind Computer: Building 20 was home to the development of the Whirlwind computer, an early digital computer that laid the foundation for modern computing.
Pioneering Work on Chomsky's Linguistic Theories: Noam Chomsky, a prominent linguist, conducted groundbreaking research on linguistics within Building 20. His work on transformational-generative grammar revolutionized the field of linguistics.
Fostering Collaboration in a Modern Context
Our colleague, Ryan, previously worked at Gallup, where they had a shared space accessible to anyone from any team. This communal area was both enjoyable and conducive to collaboration, equipped with all the necessary features to make it an attractive space for everyone. It fostered excitement and sparked innovation.
We've adopted a similar approach remotely through our weekly "Roadblocks" call. While participation is optional, anyone can join to listen to the challenges faced by team members, as well as those from other departments or fields. We discuss various obstacles encountered in marketing, and then the developer shares their own challenges, fostering a collective conversation that typically lasts for about 30 minutes.
Lessons From Building 20
The success of Building 20 teaches us a valuable lesson in collaboration. It serves as a reminder that when diverse teams come together in a flexible and inclusive environment, innovation flourishes, and remarkable achievements can be realized. This historical example underscores the importance of fostering interdisciplinary cooperation, adaptability, and a space where unconventional ideas can thrive, providing inspiration for future endeavors in the pursuit of creative solutions and breakthrough innovations.