ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

LITERATURE STUDY
CULTURAL HUB
THEATER
SUBMITTED BY :
GURLEEN MALHOTRA
VI – SEM
NIU
 Since humanity started gathering to tell stories and represent scenes from
everyday life in front of an audience, the need for a space to perform such

T activities began to increase.

It is a structure where theatrical works or plays are performed, or other
performances such as musical concerts may be produced.

H They serve as gathering places for the people in the society. There are as many
types of theaters as there are types of performances. They may range from open-
air amphitheaters to ornate, cathedral-like structures to simple, undecorated

E rooms or black box theaters.

There is no ideal shape or size of a theater. The choice of the best form and scale
depends on the functional purpose (movies, lectures, stage performances, musical

A presentations), the size of the staging required and the number of the audience to
be accommodated.

T As times flies things also change like

Theater design developed from the
open-air amphitheaters of the Greeks
E and Romans to the incredible array of
forms we see today.

R HISTORY
 Seating Arrangement Some layouts, by architect Fr. Schafer

A multiple-aisle arrangement will have a A continental arrangement can

maximum of 14-16 chairs per row.
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.
frequently accommodate more seating
within the same space.
An average of 7.5 sq ft. per person may
be used.

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.
Wide Fan
Pros: Brings distant spectators
closer to the performer.
Cons: Limits space usage to
primarily speech related activities.
Maximum limits of 130 degrees
from a central focus
The 3/4 Arena
Pros: Improves the hearing and visual
contact between spectator and performer.
Cons: Film presentation is almost out of
the question.
180 degree to 270 degree angle of
inclusion.
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.
There are several types of stages that vary as to the usage and the relation of the audience to them:

Thrust theater:
A Stage surrounded by audience on three sides. The Fourth side serves as the
background.
In a typical modern arrangement: the stage is often a square or rectangular playing area.

Arena Theatre:
A central stage surrounded by audience on all sides. The stage area is often raised to improve sightlines.

End Stage :
It is the most common type of stage and it is also called a picture frame stage. Its primary feature is a large
opening, the proscenium arch through which the audience views the performance. The audience directly faces
the stage and views only one side of the scene.

Profile Theatres:
Often used in “found space” theaters, i.e. theaters made by converted from other spaces.
The Audience is often placed on risers to either side of the playing space, with little or no
audience on either end of the “stage”. Actors are staged in profile to the audience. It is often
the most workable option for long, narrow spaces like “store fronts”.
We shoud know following important points for designing a theater :
1. Design a functioning Auditorium according to the type of performance and the
number of the audience

The amount of space required for each auditorium depends on a number of factors but the following
guides, based on modern seating design can give you an idea of the area needed:
200 seats: 270m² | 2,900 ft2
150 seats: 190m² | 2,000 ft2
75 seats: 125 m² | 1,350 ft2

2. Keep the standard distance for a comfortable audience seating.

It consists of 14-16 chairs per row with access to an aisle way at both ends. If the aisle can only be reached
from one end of a row, the seat count may then be limited to 7 or 8.

3.Keep the scenery low for better visibility.

The audience is placed close to the action, which provides a feeling

of intimacy and involvement. Keep the stage at lower level then the
audience sitting above.
TERMS USED IN THEATER -

PROSCENIUM : A proscenium is the area of a theatre surrounding the stage opening. A proscenium
arch is the arch over this area. A proscenium plane divides the performer and spectators.
HOUSE: It is the main seating area.
GANGWAYS: A passage between two rows Of seats. The minimum gangway should be 1100 mm.
AISLE: The walkway between each area, row Of seats to permit ease Of passage (>=45 mm)
DROP STAGE: A stage floor that moves vertically on an elevator usually so that one set can quickly
replace another.
TORMENTOR : A curtain or framed structure used directly behind the proscenium at each side of
the stage to screen the wings & sidelights from the audience.
APRON: The part of the stage floor in front of curtain line.
ORCHESTRA PIT: The space reserved for musicians usually in front.
BALCONY: A gallery that projects over the main floor of a theatre.
WING: The platform adjacent to the stage for keeping props.
BOX OFFICE: Where tickets are sold.
CYCLORAMA: It is the exterior of the backdrop It basically a distinction between backstage & main
stage.
FIRE CURTAIN: A curtain or asbestos or other fire-proof material that can lowered just inside the
proscenium arch in case of fire.
ROOM: The green room is the space in a theatre, studio or similar venue which functions as a waiting
room and lounge for performers before and after a performance, and during the show when they are
not engaged on stage.