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A Small Theatre : Riva San Vitale Jordan Keller
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
TEXTURE: Something composed of closely interwoven elements The structure formed by the threads of a fabric The essential part The manner of union of the parts of a body or substance CORNER: The point where converging lines, edges or sides meet The piece designed to form, mark or protect a corner The angular part or space between meeting lines, edges or borders A private, secret, or remote place A point at which significant change occurs
Study Model : Image A
Corner of the Site
Two sets of lines approach each other. One holds back water while the other holds back light. As the first passes under the second, it turns in the opposite direction as its counterpart and leaves behind a texture at a corner. The two sets of lines rely on each other for balance and support, not unlike the fingers of a pair of hands folded on a table. Each has a very different nature than the other though, one is grounded and massive while the other is perched and slender, very much unlike the identity of a pair of hands folded on a table. At this corner, it is their difference in character that defines their tectonic relationship and gives harmony to their convergence.
Lines at a Corner
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Depth of Lines
Lines at an Intersection
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Beams Coming to Rest on a Wall
Plan Sketch
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Study Model : Image B
The noth-east corner of the site sees the intersection of the mountain stream and the lake. An existing, heavy, stone wall traces this corner along the lake shore and up the mountainside. The town of Riva San Vitale has settled around this south-western corner of Lake Lugano. The site as it exists now contains a small collection of playground equipment as well as a line of park benches, which are regularly spaced at 15 to 20 foot intervals along the heavy stone wall. This is currently the place in Riva San Vitale where parents and grandparents bring their kids to play and feed the ducks. It is the place for sitting to see the sun slide behind the western mountain range and to follow its shadow as it moves up the opposite range to the east. Standing here, the town is behind and the water is before. The scale of the site is small - that of a town of 2500 people, but its setting is one of the most awesome in the world - between two ranges of the Swiss Alps. The project is a small performance space at this place in Riva San Vitale. The building must allow for both a conditioned and open-air environment, depending upon the weather and the whim of the citizens. Small rehearsal spaces are also needed in addition to the main performance space of 40 to 50 seats. The existing trees, benches, playground equipment, and views from adjacent buildings should not be disturbed.
Site Plan
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Study Model : Image C
An Accessible Series of Beams
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Study Model : Image D
Theatre and Rehearsal Platforms
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Study Model : Image E
EAST ELEVATION
1 / 32” = 1’
South - North Elevation
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
West - East Section
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1st LEVEL PLAN
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First Level Plan
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
Transition from Stair to Beam
Detail
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland An audience member arrives at the building by walking down the gentle slope of the site, along the mountain stream that flows to the lake. There is a short ramp that brings the person down two feet, to an elevation just inches above the stream. Stepping through an opening in the massive wall and onto a wood deck, a view across the lake to the mountains is revealed before the audience member turns back through the wall into the side aisle of the theatre. Inside, there is seating along the two side walls. In the center, space is left for people to stand and watch the performance at a high-top table with a small group of friends or family. The rest rooms are located in the back corner of the theatre, behind a small closet for audio/ visual and lighting equipment.
The ticket office is at the other corner, at the end of a row of existing trees. The ticket office is adjacent to the balcony access stair and the entrance of the building that would be used most often by citizens coming from the main street of the town. Both volumes - the ticket office and storage room - slide under the beams of the lower roof and are accessed at ground level.
step up at the slope of the balcony. The large sliding doors at the back wall of the balcony can be slid open or closed, depending on the preferred environment for the performance. The sliding panels behind the stage operate in the same manner. The deck behind the stage maintains an uninterrupted view out across the lake. During a performance, the deck is the “backstage� area where performers can prepare and equipment can be The beams that make the roof of the building create kept temporarily. seating for people to watch their children play in the park. As the beams step upward toward the center of the performance space, they reach a peak, and begin to step down toward the stage. On the ridge beam sits a thin wall, which houses a pair of sliding doors that allow access to the balcony seating for performances on the stage.
A permanent storage room for props, instruments, and The beams that make shelter for this second level of technical equipment sits near the south-east entrance. seating start ten feet above the edge of the stage and
View to Stage from Balcony
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2nd LEVEL PLAN
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Second Level Plan
A Small Theatre
Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
When it Rains
Water is Returned to the Lake
Jordan Keller