DG 1110.3.120
DESIGN GUIDE: MUSIC AND DRAMA CENTERS
JANUARY 1981
C H A P T E R 3: ROOM CHARACTERISTICS
ROOM CHARACTERISTICS: EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS
F I G U R E 3-2.1
Shape is implied by criteria for vision and hear-
Relationship of audience and performers in
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Frontal, T h r u s t o r S u r r o u n d f o r m
ing, and so interacts with size (volume and dis-
(arrangement).
tance), but is most strongly defined by arrange-
ment of people in the Room. Hence, the audience/
Estimated seating capacity (size).
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performer relationship (arrangement) is physi-
cally and conceptually the first choice to be
In the context of Army Performing Arts program
made. There are other variables; secondary con-
goals and constraints developed in Chapter 2,
siderations of accessory equipment, access to
the force of logic favors answers that amount to
seating and stage, and appropriate environmen-
"most likely" choices, although it should not pre-
tal conditions also influence the physical char-
clude variation.
acter of the Room. Finally, questions of flexibility
and adaptability stemming from the using ser-
1. Uses
vice's program emphasis are very real factors of
Will the Room be used for both music and
choice. These secondary and tertiary concepts
drama, and if so, to what degree is each to be
will be introduced and developed as discussion
stressed? This question has many implications
goes on.
which will be discussed in conjunction with
Room criteria for each use. This Guide assumes
C. BASIC CHOICES
that in all cases one use will dominate according
to program emphasis.
Major differences between music and drama first
appear in Room design. However, there are a
2. Arrangement of Participants
few important choices related to both uses,
What will be the spatial and operational rela-
roughly corresponding to the three primary var-
tionship of audience to performers? The most
iables above. The choices are:
common forms this relationship takes all rec-
ognize the separateness of stage and audience.
Use of the Room for music, drama or both
These forms are called Frontal (proscenium),
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(shape).
Thrust (projected), and Surround (arena). In
3-5
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