Genius Within
Innovation isn’t just something you see—it’s something you recognize in yourself.
Designed By: iFp Emerging Innovators
Client: MIT
Location: Kendall Square
Installation Date: 2025
THE Challenge
How Might We celebrate Kendall Square’s innovative spirit in a way that’s truly inclusive?
THE OUTCOME
A striking 7.5-foot rotating aluminum tower that reflects Kendall’s past, present, and future. Four mirrored panels invite passersby to literally see the Genius Within—a reminder that innovation lives in all of us, not just a select few.
IMPACT
We hope visitors leave feeling inspired by the diverse Geniuses who have shaped Kendall Square—and empowered to see themselves as part of what it becomes next.
GENIUS Within - Origin Story:
While conducting research for the Looking Glass, we stumbled upon the Entrepreneur’s Walk of Fame in Kendall Square. It was conceived in 2011, patterned after the Hollywood Walk of Fame, to recognize trailblazers in the information age. Seven of the brightest minds in the history of business were recognized. The inaugural class included Bill Gates, Bill Hewlett, Bob Swanson, David Packard, Mitch Kapor, Steve Jobs and Thomas Edison. The goal was to keep such figures as Edison, the father of the incandescent light bulb, and computer software and hardware giants such as Gates and Jobs alive in the minds of students, tourists, and curious passersby.
The plan was that more names would be added each year. However, no more names were added after the inaugural class. Frozen in time was that initial group. What kind of message was being communicated? One could only hope that by now a woman or person of color would have been honored on the walk. iFp was founded to inspire “ALL” young people to develop the skills and mindsets to become a part of the innovation economy. It was obvious what our next project would be.
In 2018, we partnered with MIT to tell the story of Kendall’s inventive spirit in an inclusive manner. From the first center-aisle train car to Thomas Watson and Alexander Graham Bell completing the first phone call, to the invention of the Polaroid camera and now home of incredible innovative biotech startups, Main Street has been the central artery of Kendall Square. One doesn’t have to wander too far from the main boulevard to discover stories like Dr. Ronald McNair MIT-trained physicist and astronaut tragically killed in the failed Space Shuttle Challenger mission. He would walk across Main Street several times per week to teach karate class at St. Paul AME Church in the Port neighborhood in Cambridge. The Port is the most economically challenged neighborhood in Cambridge. Our installation honors Dr. McNair and many others who have helped Kendall Square become known as the most innovative square mile on the planet.
Our PROCESS
iFp Teens use our Integrated Creative Problem Solving (iCps) framework for all design challenges. Students work collaboratively with designers, technologists, makers and other professionals to bring new-to-the-world ideas to life. The resulting products / experiences are fresh and cutting-edge with a youth inspired vibe.
Students start with ethnographic research tools to understand the problem being solved. Tools used include primary research tools such as observations, surveys and interviews as well as secondary research from archives, libraries and of course Google support primary research. Depending on the project, students may also be immersed into problem through simulations and experiments.
Data attained from the Discovery phase is synthesized to determine what’s most important, followed by ideation, prototyping, and final deployment. Integral to our process is outside feedback. Many design reviews are embedded in the process enabling us to co-design with interested parties. The final design is fabricated by a professional fabricator.
“iFp’s design approach is a great way for MIT to build authentic relationships with the next generation of innovators. We are grateful to the young people at iFp for providing a fresh perspective to our built environment. ”
INSTALLATION STATUS
July 10, 2025 is the date. We look forward to sharing the Genius Within story in a way that invites everyone to see themselves as part of Cambridge’s inventive spirit.