DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
C H A P T E R 1: INTRODUCTIONPURPOSE
1-3. EMPHASIS
1-1. PURPOSE
The central purpose of this Design Guide is to
Design guidance stresses the unique character-
ensure good quality in planning, design and use
istics of performance facilities over the general
of Army Music and Drama Centers (MDC). The
construction criteria developed in other technical
Guide attempts to describe the relationship be-
manuals and reference material. Technical and
tween the physical characteristics and functional
functional quality is essential to a design at the
qualities of performance facilities. It establishes
outset, while attractiveness, economy and low
flexible criteria along with information and rec-
maintenance are of long-range importance to
ommendations on which to base design deci-
operating a successful program. Technical and
sions and evaluations.
functional characteristics are rigorously defined
by either procedural or prescriptive specifica-
tion. A procedural description states required
Thoughtful use of the Guide will help develop
designs responsive to new and changing needs
attributes and the means of ensuring their at-
tainment. A prescriptive specification states
by improving early design decisions. It will aid
in the evaluation of designs in conjunction with
vital dimensions, properties and materials in a
the Army regulations and DOD criteria refer-
way that completely defines acceptable products
enced herein, and provide general guidance in
and assemblies. General and secondary criteria
can often be best stated as performance re-
planning facilities for inclusion in military con-
struction programs. Finally, using service per-
quirements without rigidly specifying how they
sonnel will find this Guide helpful in developing
are to be achieved. Planning personnel will find
improvements and in better utilizing existing
these distinctions useful in organizing criteria
facilities.
statements.
The influence of pre-design deliberations will be
improved by taking an inclusive approach to in-
itial planning, followed by careful paring-down
1-2. SCOPE AND
to balance desires with available resources. This
process at once identifies larger goals and de-
APPLICATION
fines most important immediate needs without
precluding future growth.
Guidance, criteria, and procedures explained in
this publication are applicable to all new Music
1-4. FORMAT
and Drama Center (MDC) construction projects
and to the evaluation of Army Performing Arts
facilities in general. Morale Support Activities
personnel contemplating improvements to ex-
isting occupied or found space will also find this
This Guide is structured to assist the reader
document necessary.
through successive steps of MDC planning and
design processes. Its format is designed to allow
Permanent Music and Drama Center projects will
the participants in the overall design process to
in most cases be designed as non-repetitive fa-
find and utilize the information applicable to their
cilities. Illustrative examples provided are based
roles. However, a general reading is advised to
on realistic but hypothetical facility programs;
gain understanding of the whole process.
they are not definitive prototypes. Each instal-
lation's program and context will necessarily re-
flect local conditions. The Design Guide is not
A. CHAPTER CONTENT
intended to furnish all the information needed
for successful preparation of project designs, but
Each of five chapters assembles information of
it will provide the procedural framework and
like nature and application.
basic criteria.
1-3
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