Fort Worth Community Art Center: A Re-Use by Austin Moore

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A PLAN FOR PROFIT

FUTURE PLANNING FOR THE Fort Worth COMMUNITY ART CENTER

ARCH 5502 | SP.2014 | AUSTIN MOORE

TABLE OF CONTENTS PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

INTRODUCTION THEORY + APPROACH PROJECT CONTEXT ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY STUDIES PROJECT ANALYSIS DESIGN RESPONSES SPACE PROGRAMMING SUSTAINABILITY RESPONSES CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT SOLUTION CONCLUSION APPENDIX

4 6 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 18 20 22

INTRODUCTION

PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

The Fort Worth Community Art Center represents a prime location in Fort Worthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cultural District that has been struggling to stay relevant in a sea of world class museums. As of late, the museum has struggled with several operational set-backs, leading to a decline in attendance and therefore profit. The $200,000 received from the city of Fort Worth is barely enough to assist with payment of utilities and maintenance. To be successful and bring something different to the Cultural District, the site of the FWCAC has to become a punctuating destination along the west edge of the Cultural District.

The primary issue faced by this site seems to be identity and visibility, both physical and operational. On approach to the site from the east, from the direction of the Kimbell and The Modern, the building is hidden behind a dense canopy of Live Oak trees, and tucked into a hillside. From the west, the building has very little appeal. The back (west) of the building appears as a blank warehouse facade, unrecognizable as a cultural institution. Once inside the space, the program is very confusing. Through several additions to the original building, the program has become convoluted, dis-functional, and broken. There are several types of activities happening at the FWCAC and a lot of those activities are spread to opposite ends due to a lack of space in and around the activity areas. The program has to be re-established and more effectively zoned throughout the building. Energy consumption is an issue for the FWCAC building. Implementing more sustainable heating, cooling, and lighting strategies throughout, can cut down the $10,000/month energy bill. The single pane glass and dense foliage could be altered to create more effective use of solar heat gain, raise thermal resistance, and decrease thermal transmittance. The design approach for the site of the FWCAC had to be centered around bringing people into the building and engaging those people with regular programs, attractions, and facility leasing. All decisions had to be made with sense of lucrative relevance and consistency. The FWCAC site has to find its place within the cultural context and renew interest in the location. For these and other reasons, the Fort Worth Community Art Center has been re-imagined as the Fort Worth Performing Arts Center. The facility has an opportunity take advantage of the youth demographic. With the Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, and other local educational institutions, the FWCAC site could offer lecture series, masters classes, day programs, studio space, and other opportunities directed at young people. The population of students nearby offers an established market of young people to draw in to the facility.

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MASSING + PROGRAM Fort Worth Community Art Center

Austin Moore | SP-2014

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Site context. FWCAC indicated by red box. source: Google Maps

CONTEXT MAP

Fort Worth Cultural District

MASSING + PROGRAM Fort Worth Community Art Center

Austin Moore | SP-2014

source: Bing Maps

THEORY STATEMENT PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

This project involved three modes of thought to develop a design approach. The initial analysis reveled a need for an economic approach to accompany the architectural idea. By engaging both of these functions, the design can develop a new programmatic role and relate properly to the architectural language that becomes necessary to engage the site. The third idea was one of historic preservation, and how to maintain the meaning of the original museum while also updating the presence of the building.

The economic theory was developed through an analysis of the existing operating model, verbal interviews with the museums operators, as well as a consultation report generated from Herbert Sprouse Consulting (July, 2002). These analyses were used to make a decision that would increase attraction to the site, and therefore increase the generated revenue.

The architectural approach centered around the presence of the building and how it is engaged by visitors. Surrounding museums and common paths were analyzed to arrive at a strategy that could improve the presence and usability of the site.

Anticipating the design and program changes that would be occurring at this site, the preservation strategy was a critical decision. There were obvious issues that would need to be manipulated with the current site and building to accommodate change, and the method chosen to preserve the building had too allow for maximum flexibility, addition, and alteration. The FWCAC has found its way onto the endangered buildings list in Fort Worth, making preservation and other strategies even more important to the future of the building and its site.

photo by Garrett Hull

FWCAC site plan // photo by Dr. E. Louden

PROJECT CONTEXT PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

The current site of the FWCAC has been utilized as a museum location since the early 1950s, when Herbert Bayer designed the original building. The Scott Theater was created in 1966, designed by R. Oenslager in conjunction with architect J. R. Pelich. In 1974, O’Neill Ford and Associates created another addition, and the name was changed to The Fort Worth Art Museum. Then, in 1987 the name changed again, becoming the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Finally, in 2002, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth created a new building and the existing building became the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. Currently the building sits on the west-most edge of the Cultural District. The FWCAC is difficult to notice and is flanked by a dwarfing parking garage.

Being the first cultural building in the area, the FWCAC became the epicenter for the incoming Cultural District; because of this, the site bears a certain significance as the “original” museum in the area. However, due to its age, and the fact that many newer, more beautiful, and more recognizable venues have moved into the district, the FWCAC has lost its relevance and reputation as a world class exhibition space. There is in fact plenty of available parking, but the city insists on charging patrons for it at a rate that is too high for the projected FWCAC audience. Operation of the FWCAC seems to be quite a costly expense with a less than stellar return. Current users of the building include mostly local and regional artists and those who appreciate local and regional art. These artists are not able to pay very much for gallery space, and thus the fees at the FWCAC tend to remain low. If the building was to undergo a change in program and become a center for performing arts, the scope of stakeholders could be altered to include a broader range of recognized names and performances, and also provide space for more local and “less cost intensive” productions. Drawing in more recognizable productions offers an opportunity to also draw in more local, regional, and perhaps national patrons. More patrons equates to a better bottom line, making the site more valuable to the community and the city of Fort Worth. CURRENT STAKEHOLDERS:

FUTURE STAKEHOLDERS:

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

local artists regional artists college art students general art enthusiasts small theatrical productions arts organizations other Cultural District establishments city of Fort Worth

professional production companies secondary and higher education traveling production companies local theatre groups independant film makers solo musical artists symphonic ensembles other Cultural District establishments city of Fort Worth

photo by Garrett Hull

source: FWCAC

ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

There is a potential for several programs to replace that of the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. The site could be transformed into anything that has a tie to the cultural function of a community.

A library, perhaps, could take the place of the FWCAC. Children are a major component of any library, and the site is surrounded by busy streets, making it impractical for a child to walk to. The operating model of a library is also problematic. A library typically functions as a subsidized branch of a city government, rendering it largely dependent on city funds for operation. A library, unless infused with multiple other programs, does not generate a large profit, nor draw users city wide, creating the same conditions that exist currently.

The site could also be re-imagined as an art museum, which is also problematic. The Cultural District in which the FWCAC is located has a market that is saturated with museums for local, regional, and world class art. In order for the site to thrive as a center for art exhibition, it would have to out-do the already well established museums in the area. This is not plausible and would draw the very same audience to the Cultural District, merely shifting them geographically, potentially decreasing pedestrian density. Using the site as a performing arts center presents several benefits not found in other proposals. Most importantly, a performing arts center has a higher potential to generate profit, and forecast future revenues. With multiple rent-able spaces, each with a different size and production capability and capacity, there could be paying customers every hour of every day. From those groups needing a cheaper alternative to the Bass Performance Hall ($10,000/day), to professional productions and even private music recitals and lectures, a new performing arts center could host many types of productions. This type of venue would also attract even more people into the Cultural District. Utilizing a new program would set this site apart from its neighbors and allow it to operate with far less competition. Potential users:

Production: large school productions, outdoor festivals, Broadway productions, arts organizations, dance companies, small groups needing temporary rehearsal spaces Consumer: anyone interested in the performing arts

PROJECT ANALYSIS PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

Obviously this project is riddled with design challenges; from operations to preservation this site is in need of several solutions.

Challenge: Lack of Visibility Issues: The site of the FWCAC is very dynamic. There is a 30’ change in elevation from the East to the West edge of the site. None of this can be seen from surrounding paths due to thick foliage and poor sight lines. Challenge: Preservation Issue: The current building is - in part - the original building that started the Cultural District in Fort Worth. This is highly significant to the district and to the city, giving each of them a stake in preserving it. However, the site is also incredibly valuable giving each a reason to bring in a more profitable venue. The building is currently in jeopardy on the endangered building list, and may fall victim to the need for profit. With the nature of preservation, alterations to the existing building are meant to be kept to a minimum. Inserting a new program into an existing building can raise issues with sizing and circulation. Challenge: Multiple Additions Issue: The original building has been gaining additions for over 50 years. This has created a broken, and confusing floor plan that isn’t functioning as it should. Challenge: Multiple levels + elevation change Issue: Although it creates and interesting and dynamic site, the 30’ elevation change creates a confusing succession of levels, where each level is ‘on-grade’ depending on which side of the building you are on. Also, the nature of a theatre is on of multiple levels reaching far below grade and very high above. Determining exactly how the building circulates between all of these levels is a feet in itself. ADA access becomes a major issue. Challenge: Location Issue: The Fort Worth Cultural District is home to several world class museums. Creating a new destination within the district has to be done carefully to ensure peaceful coexistence with such giants as the Kimble and the Modern. Challenge: Parking Issue: There is no free parking for this site as there is for other sites in the district. Although the FWCAC is surrounded by surface parking and a multi-level parking garage, none of the lots are free.

DESIGN RESPONSES PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

Challenge: Lack of Visibility Response: Removal of trees and re-imagined entry sequence.

Challenge: Preservation Response: Adopt a preservation approach of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Rehabilitationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This strategy allows for maximum addition and freedom. The exterior of the building remained largely untouched. Challenge: Multiple Additions Response: Simplifying and unifying the floor plan allows spaces to flow as one building rather than several different additions.

Challenge: Location Response: The programmatic shift to a performing arts center allows the new site to function outside of the scope of the other institutions that surround it. Challenge: Parking Response: No new parking was added. There is sufficient parking in the garage and surface lots that surround the site. An operational discussion needs to happen between the site and the city to establish a new parking plan.

Challenge: ADA Access Response: Where possible the existing lifts were used for vertical circulation. Access to the recital hall stage occurs entirely on the same level as to not require any mechanical lift. Where possible, floor levels were adjusted to create a flat, barrier free environment.

Monolithic covered entry.

ENTRY AT NIGHT

Main East entry to FWPAC at night

Performance in outdoor plaza at night.

OUTDOOR PERORMANCE SPACE Night performance at theatre

View of recital hall from collaboration offices above.

13 STAGE FROM ABOVE View of stage from offices

SPACE PROGRAMMING PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

Outdoor Space: • Stage • Seating • Access • Food truck access • Public transportation? • Approach Entry + Transition: • Main lobby • Atrium • Cafe • Restrooms • Reception/box office/ information • Gift Shop?

Black Box: • Dressing rooms • Actor Restrooms • Lobby • Beverage center? • Scene prep. • Storage • Back-Stage • Green room • Makeup • Sound booth/mgmt booth Lecture Halls/Theatre: • Stage • Seating • Access • A/V space 14

• Projection space Scott Theatre: • 450+ seats • Small lobby • Restrooms • Box office

Scott Theatre Offices: • Offices • Lobby • Work area/mail room • Restrooms • Conference rms • Janitor’s closet

New Grand Stage: • 1200+ seats • Lobby • Lobby restrooms • Coat closet • Box office • Beverage service area/cafe/ intermission destination • Scene prep. • Storage • Green room • Makeup • Sound booth/mgmt booth Shared Production Facilities: • Scene shop • Costume shop

• Green Room • Prop shop

Cafe: • Kitchen • Dining + seating

program relationships scott theatre complex

recital hall + movie thtr.

entry + atrium + cafe

new theatre outdoor plaza + perform

black box theatre

primary thea tre venue a + laz p n ts ia str k por e d uc pe d tr foo

existing scott theatre

entry + Atrium spaces ou t sp doo r ac e + per ent for ry ma n

Recita l/lect ure hall

black box theat re

CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

The concept for the FWCAC site is to develop a new program that will bring in more money and serve a wider audience. The execution of this concept is through a unified presence, both programmatic and visually. The current building has several additions, level changes, and scaling issues that make reading and navigating the building difficult.

Converting the program to a complete performing arts venue brings a concentration of interest to the site. This will allow the development of a more robust infrastructure to serve a single, related set of interests rather than multiple out-grown infrastructures to serve out-grown spaces. A unification of program also allows the public to have a better idea of what to expect from the facility, raising confidence and popularity.

Collaboration offices above black-box + recital space

COLLABORATION OFFICES Offices on level 2 above recital hall

View from the collaboration space of the recital space in video projection configuration

VIDEO PROJECTION Recital hall

View from stage of the recital space. Collaboration space is seen on second level through glass

PROJECT SOLUTION PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

The solution for this project was to convert the Fort Worth Community Arts Center from a struggling museum into a thriving Performing Arts Center. This conversion was designed to address the issues presented by the site and the operational model of the existing museum. With the goal of increasing revenue and pedestrian appeal, the Fort Worth Performing Arts Center would be a unique venue within the established Fort Worth Cultural District.

The initial focus of this project was to determine the new program and operation model for the site. A performing arts center was selected through a study prepared by the Herbert Sprouse Consulting group in July, 2002. Information in the report was compiled through phone interviews with performing arts groups in the area, public community meetings, and site analysis. The study did not present specific design intents, but included information that was developed into a design solution. The majority of persons and groups providing input for the study indicated a need for more rehearsal space, larger theatre capacity, and an alternative to very expensive performing spaces. The consulting group also acknowledged the capability of the site to allow for building expansion. The new program includes the addition of 4 new performing spaces: Outdoor theatre, high end theatre seating 1200, lecture hall / recital hall, relocated black box theatre seating 200 +. The existing Scott Theatre was kept â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;as-isâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; meaning the new facility can accommodate 5 separate performance types. Each theatre facility has accompanying offices and management spaces.

The architectural solutions for the facility include re-creating the entry and approach to the building. The existing entry consists of a winding stair system that traverses a 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122; rise in elevation up to the front doors. The new entry eliminates the winding stair and establishes a monolithic system accompanied by a suitable ramp to allow for ADA access to the building. After reaching the entry, visitors are greeted by a large atrium space with very high ceiling and glass walls welcoming ample amounts of daylight. From here, guest will be distributed to their respective venue locations including the Scott Theatre, the recital hall, or the black box theatre. In an effort to separate the larger theatre and make it more of a high end, large scale destination, the entry and other support facilities are kept separate from the rest of the complex. Finally, the exterior plaza becomes the attractor for pedestrians. This space allow those approaching from the North-East to be greeted with a pedestrian level destination that can be activated by music, vendors, food trucks, or anything else. The first and second level lobby for the theatre addition look out to this space through large glazed walls that, at night, can provide supplemental lighting for the area. The orientation of the outdoor theatre places a performer near the building, creating a sounding board to project the performance across the Cultural District, further serving as an attractor for pedestrians and other guests.

Top: monolithic covered entry. Bottom: Atrium space looking towards entry.

CONCLUSION

PLANNING FOR THE FWCAC

This project presented multiple unique challenges, from programing to preservation to ADA accomidations. The reaction to the project has been somewhat positive with regards to the development of the new programs and unification of plan. When presented to the staff of the existing FWCAC, the project was well received with some minor criticism to issues that the staff had learned from in the past. Obviously the project requires further development, but the direction and scope of the project has been well received. Personal reflection on project:

The development of the Fort Worth Performing Arts Center turned out to be a much larger undertaking than our team anticipated. We soon discovered that creating a proper theatre was far more involved than simply elevating seating and making sure everyone can see the stage. ADA access presents a whole different set of issues that we had not previously had to work with in other projects. These issues included vertical and horizontal distribution of ADA and companion seating, access to the stage, getting to the seats from the lobby/ entrance area etc. Also, it turns out creating the theatre is only half the battle. Developing the properly sized support facilities for a 1200+ seat theatre is a whole other task in itself. A major portion of the design that could be revisited is the changing of levels. The final design turned into a constant vertical maze where a user was asked to go up to go down or the other way around.

Regarding preservation, the project required a different mode of thinking. Rather than “How can I build around the program I have created?” we had to ask instead “How can I create the program to fit inside what is already built?” Taking something that is meaningful to a group of people and altering it to become something that will function in an almost entirely new way is quite difficult and complex. The building itself had already been added on to several times which created that vertical maze in some areas that had to be designed around. Some sizing and occupancy restriction had to be determined based on the available space, rather than what was actually desired. Although there were parts of the design that did not meet our expectations, this project served as an unexpectedly valuable learning experience. Unexpected, because there were more lessons learned than preservation techniques and building methods. What would have happened if the entire theatre complex was turned 180 degrees, allowing the seating elevations to follow the natural slope of the site? This would allow for a larger plaza and more available access to loading/un-loading and other required activities. A new method of thinking was discovered during the creation of this project, one that can be applied to future projects enabling more successful design.

primary thea tre venue

za + pla ts ian por estr ped truck d foo

existing scott theatre

entry + Atrium spaces ou t sp doo r ac e + per ent for ry ma n

Recita l/lect ure hall

black box theatr e

Initial zoning diagram

Site including addition

New east elevation

APPENDIX

IMAGES + OTHER PRODUCTION MATERIAL

EXISTING PLANS FWPAC

EXISTING - LEVEL 2 No Scale

EXISTING - LEVEL 1 No Scale

ZONING DIAGRAMS FWPAC

primary thea tre venue za + pla ts ian r r o t p s e ped truck d o fo

existing scott theatre

entry + Atrium spaces

ou t sp doo r ac e + per ent for ry ma n

black outdo box or pe theat rform space re ance + entr y

INITIAL ZONING DIAGRAM FWPAC N

VOLUMETRIC ZONING FWPAC

Black Box Theatre Recital / Lecture Hall Atrium

Primary Theatre Support Primary Theatre Scott Theatre Complex

LEVEL 1 PLAN FWPAC

O.T.B

Main Theatre O.T.B

Lobby O.T.B

O.T.B

Service Elevator Delivery Area

O.T.B Roof Area

O.T.B Office

Office

ay lk W g Wa verin Co

O.T.B

Janitor Closet

Sound Booth

Office

Office Conference Room Office

Roof Area

Office

Office Office Office

O.T.B Lobby / Lounge

O.T.B

AV Booth

Colaboration Area

Storage Office

Office

O.T.B

LEVEL 2 PLAN FWPAC

Lancaster Ave.

Stage Left O.T.B. Storage / Sound Booth Above

Bike Racks

Lobby

D Main Theatre

Mezzanine Above

O.T.B.

Storage

Stage Right O.T.B.

Service Elevator

O.T.B.

Pedestrian Plaza

Delivery Space

rea

tin

O.T.B.

Street Lights

Flex Space / Rehearsal

Scott Theater

Gendy St.

O.T.B.

Amphitheatre

O.T.B.

Scott Lobby

Flex Space / Rehearsal O.T.B.

Kitchen

Flex Space / Rehearsal

Atrium / Cafe

Black Box Lobby

Back Stage

Recital Hall

C Black Box Theater Back Stage

Lift

LEVEL 1 PLAN 3/64” = 1’0” N

Vertical Circulation ADA Access Fire + Egress Section

ELEVATIONS + SECTIONS FWPAC

EAST ELEVATION 3/64” = 1’0”

NORTH ELEVATION 3/64” = 1’0”

WEST ELEVATION 3/64” = 1’0”

ATRIUM SECTION 3/64” = 1’0”

WEST ELEVATION 3/64” = 1’0”

ATRIUM SECTION 3/64” = 1’0”

BLACK BOX + RECITAL HALL SECTION 3/64” = 1’0”

RENDERED IMAGES FWPAC

ENTRY AT NIGHT

Main East entry to FWPAC at night

ATRIUM

Atrium space looking towards lobby

STAGE FROM ABOVE View of stage from offices

OUTDOOR PERORMANCE SPACE Night performance at theatre

COLLABORATION OFFICES Offices on level 2 above recital hall

VIDEO PROJECTION Recital hall

RECITAL HALL

Looking up towards second floor office space

THEATRE LOBBY

View from the mezanine level of theatre lobby

PLAZA + ENTRY

View of outdoor theatre and entry