Dynamic Architecture

This one isn't so new to us, we've seen and heard of it before: the tower in Dubai that moves, as demonstrated in the video below.

Mechanical Elephant!

Freakin' awesome!

http://www.lesmachines-nantes.fr/english/index.html

Hyposurface wall!

http://www.hyposurface.org/

Not exactly what I had in mind but the fact that electronically controlled pistons can manipulate the surface of this wall is pertinent to my precedent research. I think theater and auditorium designers would love to have the ability to manipulate the surfaces along the ceiling, floors, and walls to accommodate for a specific type of performance. Maybe one could even use the technology to create openings in the envelope in the building, synergy-zing the interior and exterior environments, creating a whole new space for performances and lectures.

St. David's Hall, Cardiff

St. David's Hall is another example of the overlapping, odd angled audience seating. As shown in the plans, the stage and audience areas are the center mass while circulation via stairs and elevators are aplenty on the edge of this mass, both for audience members, stage hands and staff, and performers.

Plan at stage level

Plan at balcony level
Longitudinal Section (acoustic boundary of the hall is the roof, below that is an acoustically transparent ceiling)

Pocket Laptop and projector!

Pocket laptops and projectors for those days when you feel like spontaneously presenting something digitally (movies, power points, etc) in odd places with the help of a power strip and extension cord of course...

This is a pretty cool set up...

NC State Engineering Students Build a Pedestrian Bridge

Looking at potential classes to take in the Fall, I came across a pedestrian bridge that some NC State engineering students designed and built. Perhaps I chose the wrong major...

Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, UK

As with the Symphony Garden example I posted a while back, this hall is smaller than most of the ones I've come across in the books I checked out of the library. If anything, I've been able to find precedents of smaller performance halls in gigantic "Performing Arts Centers" that have several stages varying in seating capacity, type of stage, and primary use (drama, opera, orchestral, etc). After chatting with T-RAV a bit, I feel a bit better about my approach to the design of the "auditorium" building. The main program areas I need to consider are: stage, audience, circulation (public/private), performance service both above the audience seating and below the stage. I'm contemplating a single stage, arena style, that will be at the center of the building. Buffer areas will serve their purpose while also providing access to the various seating tiers from surrounding circulation paths.  There will also be a secondary, smaller outdoor amphitheater. This will involve part of the building actually moving. Whether or not the outdoor performance theater becomes an extension of the indoor theater has yet to be determined. It should be an exciting project....

Christchurch Town Hall, Wellington, UK

While initially chosen for its acoustical response above the seating areas, the baffles actually serve as a visual wall for the service catwalks above. 

Ground Level

Gallery Level
Cross Section
Longitudinal Section

Orange County Performing Arts Center Theater, Costa Mesa, California

This theater was chosen particularly as a precedent for tiered seating. The angles and height differentials speak to the "architecture" (ha) of the building.

Arena Theater, International Garden Festival, Liverpool, UK

I think everyone knows I'm a fan of architectural membranes and pavilions so it is no surprise I liked what was done with this traditional amphitheater...

Plan

Section