RESEARCH

IN
BUILDING UTILITIES III

MATRO, ROVIC L.
2015-104792
AR. LORNA BINANITAN
An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch
performances. For movie theatres, the number of auditoria (or auditoriums) is
expressed as the number of screens. Auditoria can be found in entertainment
venues, community halls, and theaters, and may be used for rehearsal,
presentation, performing arts productions, or as a learning space.

he audience in a modern theatre are usually separated from the performers by

the proscenium arch, although other types of stage are common.

The price charged for seats in each part of the auditorium (known in the industry
as the house) usually varies according to the quality of the view of the stage.
The seating areas can include some or all of the following:

Stalls, orchestra or arena: the lower flat area, usually below or at the same level
as the stage.

Balconies or galleries: one or more raised seating platforms towards the rear of
the auditorium. In larger theatres, multiple levels are stacked vertically above or
behind the stalls. The first level is usually called the dress circle or grand circle.
The highest platform, or upper circle is sometimes known as the gods, especially
in large opera houses, where the seats can be very high and a long distance
from the stage.

Boxes: generally placed immediately to the front, side and above the level of
the stage. They are often separate rooms with an open viewing area which
generally seat only a handful of people. These seats are generally considered
the most prestigious of the house. A state box or royal box is sometimes provided
for dignitaries.

Seating arrangement: Seating arrangements in an auditorium seating layout (or

assembly space) will either be identified as “multiple-aisle” or “continental.”
These terms are commonly found in design standards manuals, building codes,
and similar architectural reference documents. Each size is unique, with specific
guidelines governing row size, row spacing, and exit ways. Basically, a multiple-
aisle arrangement will have a maximum of 14–16 chairs per row with access to
an aisle-way at both ends. In a continental arrangement, all seats are located in
a central section. Here the maximum quantity of chairs per row can greatly
exceed the limits established in a multiple-aisle arrangement. In order to
compensate for the greater length of rows allowed, building codes will require
wider row spacing, wider aisles, and strategically located exit doors. Although it
would seem like more space is called for, a continental seating plan is often not
any less efficient than a multiple-aisle arrangement. In fact, if it is carefully
planned, a continental arrangement can frequently accommodate more
seating within the same space.

General Seating Arrangement: 2 Basic Types

Seating arrangements in an auditorium seating layout (or assembly space) will

either be identified as “multiple-aisle” or “continental.”

These terms are commonly found in design standards manuals, building codes,
and similar architectural reference documents. Each size is unique, with specific
guidelines governing row size, row spacing, and exit ways.

Basically, a multiple-aisle arrangement will have a maximum of 14-16 chairs per

row with access to an aisle-way at both ends.
If an aisle can be reached from one end of a row only, the seat count may then
be limited to 7 or 8.

It should be noted that the maximum quantities will always be established by

the governing building code.

In a continental arrangement, all seats are located in a central section. Here the
maximum quantity of chairs per row can greatly exceed the limits established in
a multiple-aisle arrangement.

In order to compensate for the greater length of rows allowed, building codes
will require wider row spacing, wider aisles, and strategically located exit doors.

Although it would seem like more space is called for, a continental seating plan
is often not any less efficient than a multiple-aisle arrangement. In fact, if it’s
carefully planned, a continental arrangement can frequently accommodate
more seating within the same space.
For early planning, an average of 7.5 sq ft. per person may be used.

This will include both the seating area and space necessary for aisle-ways.

Theater Forms: What Form Will Your Area Take?

While you’re evaluating the potential organization of an auditorium seating

layout, you’ve got to put some thought into what “form” you’d want that space
to take.

“Form” is the result of planned relationships between spectators and performers

dictated by the anticipated function or use.

A carefully planned or programmed assembly space may demand a particular

form to support the function. This will often follow one of several basic theater
forms…

The “End Stage”

Pros: Well suited to lecture, film or slide presentations.

Cons: Not very conducive to close relationship between performer and

spectator.

Although a “proscenium” or “picture-frame” stage is very common and familiar

to theater goers, a variation of it… the “end stage” … satisfies the needs of
many other general assembly spaces.

This form is well suited to lecture, film, or slide presentations. In addition, it may
lend itself comfortably to rectangular areas which will fit many conventional
new or renovated buildings.

However, this form may not be conducive to a close relationship between

performer and spectator. In some large-space auditorium seating layouts many
seats are beyond a point where un-reinforced speech would be intelligible.

If this type of direct contact is essential, perhaps a different form, as described

below, may be more appropriate.

Wide Fan Arrangement

Pros: Brings distant spectators closer to the performer.

Cons: Limits space usage to primarily speech related activities.

A wide fan arrangement with maximum limits of 130 degrees from a central
focus or focal point will bring the distant spectators closer to the performer,
thereby promoting a more intimate relationship.

At this angle of inclusion, film or slide presentation is still possible, however, the
performing area should be deep and the screen placed as far to the rear as is
practical to minimize distortion of the projected images.

A auditorium seating layout or seating area which exceeds 130 degrees begins
to limit the use of an assembly space primarily to speech related activities.

However, this doesn’t discount all film projection, since the actual position of the
screen will determine the extent of image distortion. This fact, coupled with an
understanding of the physical discomfort which develops when one’s head is
turned to the side for an extended period, may permit only brief film
presentations.

The 3/4 Arena

Pros: Improves the hearing and visual contact between spectator and
performer.

Cons: Film presentation is almost out of the question.

The 3/4 arena is a third form of assembly space, which traces it’s origins to the
ancient Greek open-air amphitheater.

This design approach is characterized by a 180 degree to 270 degree angle of

inclusion and can improve aural and visual contact between spectators and
performers.

Conventional film presentation, in this format, is almost totally out of the

question, but television monitors or projection screens located throughout the
assembly space may work OK.

Arena Stage
Pros: Offers 360 degree visuals, so you can bring more spectators closer to the
performers.

Cons: This limits the arena physically, it allows very little (or no) expansion.

The last form we’ll take a look at here is the arena stage. This offers seating in a
full 360 degree containment.

Obviously, this auditorium seating layout brings even more spectators closer to
the performer, but at the same time it creates certain restrictions. At any time
during a presentation, a performer will be facing only a portion of the audience.
Additionally, the performing arena is physically limited to the allocated space-
allowing little to no expansion.

Auditorium Seating Dimensions – Seat Widths

Available sizes range from 18″ to 24″, however, all may not be produced by a
single manufacturer.

The most commonly used chair widths are 20″, 21″, and 22″.
It should be noted that these dimensions are nominal, being measured from
center to center of the support legs. If seating comfort is a high priority, thought
must be given to a particular width and the space taken up by chair arms to
determine an actual size.

Usually, smaller sizes of 18″ and 19″ have limited application due to the minimum
clear width provided. Typically, all manufacturers size their chairs along an
imaginary line which may be referred to as a “datum line,” “char radius line” or
something similar.

For accurate planning in an assembly area, this line must be identified so as not
to over or underestimate the potential of a row of chairs.

Row Spacing

Another consideration in v is row spacing.

Row spacing, or “back to back” spacing of seats is also very important in

developing a comfortable assembly area in your auditorium seating layout.

A minimum dimension occasionally used is 2′-6″ (30″).

This spacing provides marginal clearance between a seated person’s knees
and the back of the chair in the next forward row. At the same time, it will
require that a seated person stand to permit another person to get by them.

As you increase the row spacing to 36″, seating comfort is dramatically

improved and passage along a row of seated persons is accomplished with less
disruption.

Floor Design
When it comes to your auditorium seating dimensions, seating comfort will also
be affected by the design of the assembly space floor.

Flat or less steeply sloped floors will usually allow a person to extend their knees
and legs even under minimum row spacing conditions. Here, an individual can
take advantage of the open area under a seat and the free space created by
the pitched back of a chair.

As the floor slope is increased, this “free space” diminishes. The extreme
condition exists where a large elevation change between rows is combined with
a minimum row spacing.

An example would be a 12″ high riser and a 32″ wide row spacing. At this point, it
becomes necessary to consider increasing the back to back dimension to
provide more leg room.

The free space under a chair is also lost when a row of seats is located directly
behind a low wall. In this case, a recommended minimum clearance would be
11″ measured from seat edge in the lowered position to face of wall.

The back to back dimension of a row of seats abutting a rear wall should also be
carefully studied. Normally, the pitched back of a chair will overlap a riser face,
automatically reducing the width of that row unless succeeding rows are
similarly positioned.

Where a rear wall exists, the recommended procedure is to increase the

dimension of the last row sufficiently to accommodate any overlap plus a
minimal space between the wall and top edge of the chair back.
Aisle-ways & Code

Aisle-ways must be carefully studied in relation to the seating arrangement

desired. Minimum aisle widths may be greater for a continental seating plan
compared to a multiple-aisle arrangement.

In all cases, the dimension increases proportionately to the distance traveled

toward an exit door.

The aisle width in your auditorium seating layout must be measured

perpendicular to side walls or the direction of travel and not necessarily parallel
to the angle of curve of a row of seats.

Exit Doors & More

Building codes also deal with such issues as the size and location of exit doors,
emergency aisle lighting, railings, floor slope at aisles and riser heights. In many
areas the flammability of the room finishes, including the chair construction, is
also covered.

Besides regulations spelled out in building codes, there exist other general safety
guidelines to be considered.

Other Safety Considerations

A serious safety hazard frequently appears when voids are created between
end of row chairs and aisle steps. This results when the chair leg and aisle steps
are not parallel. Aisle steps should always be extended to fall as close to the end
chair as possible.

A similar problem may develop where the maximum quantity of chairs cannot fill
the available space. This condition will create gaps between end chairs at aisle
steps or side walls as well as irregular aisle alignment. In some cases, using wider
chairs may help reduce the gap, but often the problem can be avoided by
careful preliminary problem.

One last detail should be mentioned…. which occurs solely in assembly areas
where risers or steps are used:

The practice of allowing a chair back to overlap the edge of a riser is

recommended in order to avoid the likelihood of a person accidentally
stepping over the riser’s edge when entering or existing a row.

Ideally, the char back serves as a protective railing. The condition might be
overlooked during early planning stages of your auditorium seating layout,
resulting in an unacceptable row spacing where chairs abut a rear wall.
Visibility: What (And How Much) Can Audience Members See?
Visibility in an assembly space is a function of seat location.

One of the most crucial parts of your auditorium seating layout is visibility.

As we said earlier… building codes, comfort guidelines, floor design, and the
overall form of an assembly space all play a part in seating arrangements. This
information, combined with a basic understanding of sight-line analysis and
related planning guidelines, can result in achieving an acceptable (if not
optimum) level of viewing for spectators.

Perhaps film projection requires the most critical sightline analysis, since poor
seat location will result in distorted images. For this activity, the seating
parameters are established by the screen or image size.

An angle of 30 degrees up to 45 degrees measured perpendicular to the far

and near edges of the screen can establish a side to side seating limit, while the
screen or image height may determine the maximum distance.

The minimum dimension or closest recommended seat will also be set by the
screen height. *Note that these images are approximate and apply principally
to flat screen projection.
Sightline Analysis – Approach #1

When preparing a vertical sightline analysis for you auditorium seating layout,
the minimum clearance to raise a spectator’s view line over the head of a
person directly in front of him would be 4.5″ to 5″.

However, this may still not guarantee a totally uninterrupted line of sight. For
example, if all seats had a constant rise per row of 5″, all spectators still may not
see the same point or be able to view the entire area desired.

Generally, seats farthest away may lose the lower portion of any presentation.

Perhaps for a simple lecture, this is not of major importance since the viewers
need only see the upper portion of a speaker. However, thought must be given
to such items as a chalkboard or projection screen so that the lower edge is
within view of the most distant spectator.
Obviously, this can be done by simply raising the display wall or screen, or by
elevating the entire presentation area in accordance with the results of the
sightline study.

The pitch of a sloped floor need not be designed with a constant rise. Improved
sightlines can also be achieved by designing a floor where the rise per row is
increasing. This method, referred to as “iscidomal slope” can make more
efficient use of the total available rise from front to rear of a space.

The sightlines can often be further improved if a raised platform is included.

Sightline Analysis – Approach #2

A second approach to vertical sightline analysis is every-other-row line of sight.

In contrast to that which was already discussed, this form of analysis assumes
that heads of spectators in preceding rows will not obscure vision as a result of
staggering seating.

However, this assumption should be verified in the form of a horizontal sightline

analysis.

By staggering seats it is possible to maximize a spectator’s view line between the

heads of individuals seated in a preceding row.

Not to be overlooked of course is the natural tendency for individuals to

reposition themselves in their seats in order to improve sightlines. Combined with
the addition of a platform or varying floor scope, the overall rise in this assembly
space can be kept to a minimum.
This is a precise business…

The planning of an assembly space or auditorium seating layout is much more

precise than most other building occupancy types.

Because of the extend of “built-ins” (ie. steps, slopes, platforms, etc.) problems
are more difficult to correct if the original plan is found to be faulty. Therefore,
the architect or designer should study all aspects of the space requirements or
program. They should establish a priority, and filter out those items that may tend
to make the space too demanding or too flexible.

Seating Layout Examples

This last section is devoted to an analysis of several actual auditorium seating

projects and provides real auditorium seating layout examples.
Before we get into it, here’s an…

Explanation of terms:
Basic Theater Form – that form as explained earlier in this article.
Quantity of Seats – the actual quantity of fixed seats installed.

Seating Area – includes all space directly occupied by the fixed seats, as well as
the adjacent aisle-ways.
Space Per Seat – seating area divided by quantity of seats.

Row Spacing – plumb-line dimension between rows measured from common

reference point, i.e., chair back.

Most Distant Seat – seat identified as being farthest from a projection screen or
stage.
Stage Elevation – height of stage above floor line at first row of seats.

Floor Design – floor may be flat, sloped, or designed with risers or improved
visibility.

Example #1:
Basic Theater Form – End Stage.
Quantity of Seats – 55.
Seating Area – 450 Sq. Ft.
Space Per Seat – 8.23 Sq. Ft.
Row Spacing – 2′ 9″
Most Distant Seat – 22′-0″
Stage Elevation – None
Floor Design – Flat / One Riser 8″
Example #2:
Basic Theater Form – 3/4 Arena.
Quantity of Seats – 56.
Seating Area – 622 Sq. Ft.
Space Per Seat – 11.1 Sq. Ft.
Row Spacing – 3‘ 3″
Most Distant Seat – 32′-0″
Stage Elevation – None
Floor Design – Risers 4“

Example #3:
Basic Theater Form – End Stage.
Quantity of Seats – 80.
Seating Area – 700 Sq. Ft.
Space Per Seat – 8.75 Sq. Ft.
Row Spacing – 3‘ 6″
Most Distant Seat – 25′-0″
Stage Elevation – 3′-6″
Floor Design – Risers 6″