CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FOREST THEATER FOUNDATION
PRE-DESIGN STUDY
MAY 7, 2007
R. F. McCANN & COMPANY ARCHITECTS
DESIGNING FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY SINCE 1976
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40 E. MONTECITO AVENUE
SIERRA MADRE / CA / 91024
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SECTION 2: AUDIENCE/VISITOR CENTERAUDIENCE & VISITOR CENTER
This study proposes the Audience and Visitor Center to accommodate theater patrons during attendance at events as well as to host visitors to the Park on non-performance occasions.
Audience support accommodations are proposed using three or four small scale, detached structures, pedestrian in size and proportion and featuring multiple and varied small scale roof forms. As space moves between and around the complex of small structures, impact on the site adjacent buildings and neighborhood is significantly reduced and landscape opportunities arise to soften contrast between the natural and built environment.
The multi-structure approach to providing audience services allows grade adjustments through use of individual path approaches to each area of the Audience Center within ADA slope limits. Each small pavilion in the group setting will be sited at average elevations that follow the existing site contours by stepping down as the sites progress westward down the existing slope.
The multi-pavilion design also allows use of a planning strategy involving the nuance of curvature created by a gradual shifting of the alignments of the facades of the pavilions. Walls of the facades create visual continuity beyond the audience area thereby drawing patrons up the grade toward the south and east onto paths that access theatre seating.
A possibility beyond providing only services within the pavilion complex is to create additional multi-pavilion schemes, i.e. pavilions to serve as flex space for public use. Three pavilions aligned together forming the south edge of the audience center in the multi-pavilion configuration would permit a middle pavilion for public uses such as gatherings or exhibits. Elimination of the middle pavilion is possible as an alternate form of the multi-pavilion complex in favor of increasing open space landscape.
Pathway access past the toilet pavilions would be separated with low and mid-height landscaping to buffer wait-lines leading to the toilets from the main pedestrian area and ticket and concession sales areas. Also, separate cueing space is provided leading to the ticket sales window and concession counter on opposite sides of the sales pavilion.
VIEW OF AUDIENCE CENTER-MULTI-PAVILION COMPLEX
PROPOSED AUDIENCE CENTER
1 comment:
Mr. McCann's vision of a year round park shows why it is usually best to have a local architect with local knowledge of the historic uses, etc. do the renovation and upgrades. At least Mr. Congleton realized the Forest Theatre is a "theatre" operating a three to four month season per year.
Making the Forest Theatre into just another city park is not what residents of the neighborhood expect and Mr. McCann does not appear sensitive to local concerns like that.
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