Architecture as Theater; Creating a Vital Architectural Narrative

121 Pages·2012·3.38 MB·English

Architecture as Theater
Creating a Vital Architectural Narrative
Derrick Whitmire
May 2012
Master of Architecture 12’
University of Cincinnati
College of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning
School of Architecture and Interior Design
BT Architectural Tech 08’
Washington University in St. Louis
Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts
Chairs
Michael McInturf
Aarati Kanekar
Barry Stedman
Abstract
The state of contemporary architecture has been reduced to the
repetition of an imposed experiential narrative by a single author, the architect.
Initially stimulating, the monotony of the architectural experience diminishes it
to the banality of the routine. This is due to the failure of architecture to harness
the vitality of an increasingly interactive world continuously influenced by multiple
authors. Architecture must go beyond the establishment of a direct plot and
create a more elusive narrative.
This thesis explores the vitality of architecture as theater. The architect
becomes the orchestrator of an elaborate set in which the buildings’ users become
both the actors and audience. Within the framework provided, the actors (users)
both consciously and sub-consciously translate an ambiguous narrative. The
viewers supplement the ambiguities of the narrative with their own interpretations
creating fact and fiction. The narrative is not limited to a singular experience, but
is a culmination of experiential sets that develop an understanding of an elusive
narrative that can never be fully understood. The architectural question becomes:
How can an architect produce an elusive narrative for a perpetually vital space
within the contemporary social structure?
The answer to this question will be explored through the design of an
adaptable performance theater. The theater, given its notorious history of being
a place to see and be seen, will attempt to break the existing social organization
and reintroduce it within a more democratic contemporary social structure of a
younger, more progressive audience. The design will attempt to restore vitality to
a now fading facet of our cities that is critical to our cultural identity.
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Preface
As a student of architecture, I have a keen interest in experiencing the
buildings I have studied. A work of architecture is much more than seductive
forms meant to be viewed from a constrained vantage point. Additionally is
a sequence of experiential units in an unfolding narrative of space. A student
at the University of Cincinnati, I have had the opportunity to explore many
works on campus, in my co-op travels, and in my personal travels. One of the
most sophisticated works on campus is the Aronoff Center for Design and Art/
DAAP. My initial experiences were of intrigue and exploration. I first observed
the broader strokes of the work, such as the curving spine as well as the slipping,
rotating, and sliding of elements. Eventually I monitored the details and
nuances of the building. As I studied the building, Architect Peter Eisenman’s
intentions and voice became clearer. Once I achieved a greater clarity of his
intentions, the mystery of the building began to fade, as did its vitality. The
cognitive ambivalence that I once had with the building was now reduced to an
act of my sub-conscious. The complexity of the building significantly prolonged
the vitality of the work, but it eventually subsided to familiarity. The goal of this
thesis is not to prolong the vitality of a building, but to establish a perpetual vitality
through an ever changing narrative that can never be fully defined.
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Table of Contents
Abstract 5
List of Illustrations 9
Preface 13
1. Problem 15
2.Background 17
Cognitive Appraisal 18
Vitality 19
Dynamic Experience 20
Interactivity 21
3.Precedents 25
Exposure #9 - Barbara Probst 27
Shipbreaking #9a & #9b - Edward Burtynsky 31
Untitled - Felix Gonzalez-Torres 35
Highline Phase 1- DS+R 37
New Dance and Music Center in the Hague - DS+R 39
BA_LIK Pavilion - Vallo Sandovsky Architects 43
Tatlin’s Tower 47
Wyly Theater - REX 51
4. Methodology 55
Context 56
Framework 57
Narrative 58
Form 59
5. Program 63
Alignment 65
Theater History 69
Positioning 71
Political Context 72
Physical Features and Experiencial Conditions 72
Building Context 97
Space Programming 104
6. Design 106
Context 111
Framework 112
Narrative 113
Form 118
7. Conclusion 120
Bibliography 123
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List of Illustrations
3-1 Fact/ Fiction Diagram
Image by author
3-2 Exposure #9
Lutz, Eric, An Orchestrated Vision; The Theater of Contemporary
Photography. St. Louis: St. Louis Art Museum, 2012
3-3 Framing Diagram
Image by author
3-4 Shipbreaking #9a and #9b
Lutz, Eric, An Orchestrated Vision; The Theater of Contemporary
Photography. St. Louis: St. Louis Art Museum, 2012
3-5 Untitled
http://smallworldsproject.com/2011/04/19/felix-gonzalez-torres/
3-6 Highline (Phase 1)
Image by author
3-7 Front of House/Back of House Diagram
http://www.dsrny.com/
3-8 New Dance and Music Center in the Hague Section
http://www.dsrny.com/
3-9 BA_LIK Pavilion Diagram
http://www.vallosadovsky.sk/
3-10 BA_LIK Pavilion Perspective
http://www.vallosadovsky.sk/
3-11 Tatlin’s Tower Diagram
Image by author
3-12 Tatlin’s Tower Model
Boym, Svetlana. Architecture of the Off-Modern. New York:
Princeton Architectural Press, 2008.
3-13 Wyly Theater Section Diagram
http://www.rex-ny.com/work/wyly-theatre/
3-14 Wyly Theater Procession Diagram
http://www.rex-ny.com/work/wyly-theatre/
3-15 Wyly Theater Photo
http://www.rex-ny.com/work/wyly-theatre/
4-1 Knights move
Boym, Svetlana. Architecture of the Off-Modern. New York:
Princeton Architectural Press, 2008.
4-2 Ice Freezing
Image by author
5-1 Pin Impression
http://www.gamedev.net/topic/607674-voxels/
5-2 Typical Theater Section
http://warddesigngroup.us/portfolio/featured/fred_kavli_center/
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5-3 St. Louis Region
Image by author
5-4 Site Access Diagram
Image by author
5-5 Parking Diagram
Image by author
5-6 Grand Center Aerial
Image by author
5-7 Existing Buildings Diagram
Image by author
5-8 Topography
Image by author
5-9 Proposed Site Diagram
Image by author
5-10 View West @ Washington Ave.
Image by author
5-11 View South @ Grand Ave.
Image by author
5-12 View Southwest @Grand Ave.
Image by author
5-13 Aerial Photos
Image by author
5-14 Site Photos
Image by author
5-15 Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
http://camstl.org/
5-16 Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
http://www.pulitzerarts.org/
5-17 Grandel Theater
http://www.grandcenter.org/about/grandeltheatre/
5-18 Grandel Theater Green Space
Image by author
5-19 Fox Theater
http://www.fabulousfox.com/
5-20 Powell Symphony Hall
http://stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/planning/cultural-resources/city-
landmarks/Powell-Symphony-Hall.cfm
5-21 Sheldon Concert Hall
http://www.soulscapesphotography.com
5-22 Historic Building Diagram
Image by author
5-23 Zoning Diagram
Image by author
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