Alfred Vinyu 210044535 Community Hub Design Process

In the initial design process, I was investigating and analyzing precedents, these being the

Stevie Eller Dance Theatre and The Karoo Wilderness Center. However, due to having to

design a theatre located in local communities, the intention was to use an idea incorporating

and aesthetically pleasing theatre which catered for the local context in terms of not being

too extravagant in technology.

My concept was based on a ship, resultant of marine ply also being used in boat

construction. After the concept, I investigated ways of dealing with the shape of the hub to

deal with acoustics and lighting. Along with this were investigations of the sizes and

locations of h\the stage, possible location of any backstage changing areas and prop storage.

I also looked at different seating arrangements and possible capacity.

I looked at different ways of anchoring gum poles in order to facilitate the conceptual design

as well as different finishes for the stage, walls and types of roofs.

Hub Design Process 1

Investigation through precedent study Different initial sketches Conceptual drawings of the ship Crowd seating investigation

Working model

Due to the scale of the initial hub design, I attempted changing the design in order to make it a

smaller scale. I began to look at only having partial roof covering made of marine ply fixed to

timber structural cross bracing which would be fixed onto the main roofing poles as well as a

grand entrance point with the core surrounded by a booth for access. A pergola structure would

point the direction to the hub entrance.

In the hub, the stage was centralized in the theatre for 360 degree visual of the performers. There

was to be crowd seating/ standing spaces surrounding the stage. I also began a technological

investigation whereby I could free up space for the crowd and remove any supports to the front of

the roof. This required the use of a tensile structure using angled gum poles fixed to concrete

counter weights and base gusset plates. The poles would be anchored by stainless steel

turnbuckles and cabling as well as bolts. This would resist the weight applied on them by roofing

material as well as the weather elements. At the end of the process, the hub looked like a mini-

stadium.

Hub Design Process 2

Alfred Vinyu 210044535 Community Hub Design Process

Entrance investigations and solutions Booth surrounding core Technological investigation Working model

Elevation (top) and Section (bottom)

However, the design was still too big and needed to be smaller. I looked at open air theatres,

mostly in Japan as well as the amphitheatre at the V&A Waterfront in order to get an intimate

theatre design. The theatre had identical seating spaces for a smaller crowd at either side of

the performance stage. The seating spaces were looked at from a multi-functional point of

view where they could be used as study spaces in the case where the theatre was not used for

performances. In this process I looked at making the technology less complicated by

removing concrete footings and gusset plates by just embedding the poles into the ground at

an angle. The core was placed in the back and would act as the performance support space

where there was a small structure connected to it where brochures and refreshments would be

provided. This process however had moved away from the concept and needed to change.

Hub Design Process 3

Alfred Vinyu 210044535 Community Hub Design Process

Multi-functional use of audience space Core investigation Working model

Embedded poles

I returned to my original concept in this design process and started off with a section. The aim

was to get a plan-section relationship. In section I had a dynamic, wrapping concept of an

abstract ship and this guided me in producing an asymmetrical plan incorporating the

attributes of the section. As part of the concept, on plan the space is seemingly enclosed, but

however when looked at in elevation/section, is seen to be open. The backstage space is

wrapped and “opens” up towards the front of the stage where the shape of the stage also

opens up to the audience space.

Hub Design Process 4

Alfred Vinyu 210044535 Community Hub Design Process

Initial section

Plan investigation

Plan investigation

Possible elevation

Possible elevations Working model