Velvet Studios - LOGBOOK by Laith Wallace

VELVET STUDIOS THE LOGBOOK

Project by: Laith Wallace

THE CONCEPT, THE SKETCHES, THE DIAGRAMS

Velvet Studios PROJECT BREAKDOWN Despite its transformation into a shopping district and economic hub, Narodni Trida lacks an architectural symbol that projects its culture and cosmopolitan identity. Most of its existing ‘monuments’ refer to a communist past and become anachronistic when confronted by the 21st century’s energy and diversity of this Europe. The overarching aim for this programmatic hybrid is to redefine the existing and historic typology so that it responds to a twenty-first century city location. The site needs to create a buffer zone between the Old and New Town Town of Prague. The intention is that the Cultural Centre would form part of the urban fabric, offering possibilities for public inhabitation to establish a performance hub for the City. The complex arrangement of accommodation, market spaces, workshops, studios and a performance space creates an interesting and challenging juxtaposition between the roughness of industry and the delicacy of art. Celebrating itʼs connection and fragile relationship with the landscape through seasonal performance festivals and events. Communities evolve slowly, from a strong social base. Architects can contribute to their success, but only in conjunction with others: by taking account of local, social and historical context; and by engaging collaboratively with people to create the physical conditions in which they can function and thrive. Programmatic instability equals to programmatic performance each the potential beginning of a

triumphal march towards a new kind of city, a new urbanity. Performance rules are defined through a library of hybrid details which outline the system, the rules of the performance, but do not completely define the output of this creative process. The resultant performance is then placed around the site in specific microlots. As the artistic community becomes more developed and experienced, the architecture produced becomes improved and updated. The architectural intervention constitutes an undulating landscape which animates the interior of the building and the landscape offering a highly versatile stage for all kinds of events, including exhibitions, art fairs, stage performances, and vocational training. The intervention illustrates a direct relationship between the past and the present; the content of history, shown in the first floor, informs the floor above which houses today’s Czech community of performers. Through this highly skilled creative and evolutionary process, a new identity is created for Narondi trida and Prague. The lives of the inhabitants are enriched with their creative potential achieved.

Prague, Open City SITE PICTURES

Prague, Open City WHAT STOOD OUT TO ME? 15 Weeks To Produce Something Amazing!!

ZIZKOV TOWER COMMUNIST PAST

TRAM TRANSPORT

SHOPPING DISTRICT

MANY THEATRES

TIME PERIOD ON CALENDAR

Prague, Open City STATEMENTS OF INTEREST When air conditioning, escalators, and advertising appeared, shopping expanded its scale, but also limited its spontaneity. And it became much more predictable, almost scientific. What had once been the most surprising became The most manipulated.

Diplomacy builds

When shopping was still connected to the street it was also an intensification and articulation of the street. Now it has become utterly independent - contained, controlled, surveyed.

REM KOOLHAUS - ARCHITECT

Jan Kaplický - CZECH ARCHITECT (18 April 1937 – 14 January 2009)

The City has many Possibilities

Italo Calvino - AUTHOR

I think theatre should always be somewhat suspect.

Vaclav Havel - FORMER CZECH REPUBLIC PRESIDENT

VELVET STUDIOS CONTENTS VELVET STUDIOS CONCEPT & CONTEXT

10 - 13

SITE HISTORY

14 - 15

REPERTORY THEATRES

16 - 17

THEATRE DEVELOPMENT

18 - 19

INTRODUCE PLAY

20 - 21

SKETCHES

22 - 23

MODEL

24 - 25

SKY EVENT

INSPIRATION

26 - 27

THE PLANS

28 - 39

THE RENDERS

40 - 41

REHERSAL

MARKET THEATRE

VELVET STUDIOS

The theatre can be used as a political instrument, proclaiming the agenda of a government or group of people. It can also be used as a arena of protest to take the personal expression of the actor and protest against a regime they don’t agree with BY LAITH WALLACE 10

Despite its transformation into a shopping district and economic hub, Narodni Trida lacks an architectural symbol that projects its culture and cosmopolitan identity. Most of its existing ‘monuments’ refer to a communist past and become anachronistic when confronted by the 21st century’s energy and diversity of Europe. The over arching aim for this programmatic hybrid is to redefine the existing and historic typology so that it responds to a twentyfirst century city location. The site needs to create a buffer zone between the Old and New Town of Prague. The intention is that

the site would become a Cultural Centre which would form part of the urban fabric, offering possibilities for public inhabitation to establish a performance hub for the City. The complex arrangement of accommodation, market spaces, workshops, studios and performance spaces create an interesting and challenging juxtaposition between the roughness of industry and the delicacy of art. Celebrating it’s connection and fragile relationship with the landscape through seasonal performance festivals and events. 11

CONTEXT GEOGRAPHICAL

SITE LOCATION COMMUNICATION VIA THE INTERNET COMMUNICATION VIA MOBILE NETWORKS

NEW

TOWN

SITE THE TRAVELLER

THE INHABITANT

BUFFER

ZONE

MALA STRANA HDRACANY JEWISH QUARTER NEW TOWN OLD TOWN SITE SITE

OLD TOWN COMMUNICATION VIA WORD OF MOUTH

NARODNI TRIDA

BUFFER

ZONE

SITE HISTORY: PROTEST VELVET REVOLUTION 17.11.1989 The Velvet Revolution (Czech: sametová revoluce) or Gentle Revolution (Slovak: nežná revolúcia) (November 17 – December 29, 1989) was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that saw the overthrow of the communist government.[1] On November 17, 1989, a Friday, riot police suppressed a peaceful student demonstration in Narodni Trida, Prague.

That event sparked a series of popular demonstrations from November 19 to late December. By November 20 the number of peaceful protesters assembled in Prague had swollen from 200,000 the previous day to an estimated half-million. A twohour general strike, involving all citizens of Czechoslovakia, was held on November 27.

2011 + SHOPPING OF PRAGUE CREATES A BUFFER ZONE BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW TOWN OF PRAGUE

1920 SHOPPING DISTRICT

NARODNI TRIDA 17.11.1989

THEATRES AROUND THE SITE There are nearly 40 theatres in Prague, but nearly all run on a repertory system so plays only appear two or three times a month. Because tickets are relatively cheap they can be like gold dust and most theatres will have queues at the box office at the beginning of every season. So your best bet is to try one of the ticket agencies around the city. You will pay a premium for your ticket, but you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t catch cold. Most theatres are dark in July & August.

Narondi Trida can become a cultural hub and collection of theatre activity during the times when performance is void in the city. Preserving a strong heritage in dramatic performance. Especially during the high tourist season of July & August. Allowing for more economic flow on site and appreciation of culture.

REPERTORY THEATRES 16

THEATRE DEVELOPMENT FORMING THE DESIGN

BLACK BOX THEATRE

MULTIFORM THEATRE

eventually FLYTOWER

r en

REHERSAL STUDIOS

builds the

assess

act

assess

an da nt i

play

individual

to b ea

play! play! ENGAGEMENT

CONVERSATION shapes and may fulfill context

brings about a new

CONVERSATION

benefit/harm adds to an individual’s

adds to an individual’s

end (pause) crystallizes

benefit/harm

crystallizes

shapes and may fulfill crystallizes

benefit/harm

offers opportunity for

prerequisites

brings about a new

ensure survival of the

offers opportunity for

ACT / PLAY

shapes and may fulfill

prerequisites

STAGE

SHARED WORLD

wants to

context shapes and may fulfill

MULTIFORM THEATRE

wants to

prerequisites

CONVERSATION

chooses to

END / PAUSE

ensure survival of the

END / PAUSE END / PAUSEE to individual wantsCONVERSATION

FLYTOWER

chooses to

individual

observe

an t

ic i SHARED WORLD END / PAUSE pa te the ble CONVERSATION oth ea er to to b END / PAUSE observe begins with an

o et

begins with an

ble

o er t oth the te pa ci

play

observe

ea to b

CONVERSATION ENGAGEMENT to b ea

the oth er to

o er t oth the te pa ci

an tic ipa te

CONVERSATION

adds to an individual’s 20

plan e rd in o t c the a

t in

the a c

the ac

contributes to a

or d

e ord

y to

t in

y to

THE PLAY CENTRE OF PRAGUE

assess

REHERSAL STUDIOS

giv

r en

provides setting for

eventually

a xt w the ne

contributes to a

rt o

giv

provides setting for builds the

e uid is g

t in

the ne xt w a

y to

plan

a xt w the ne

ea c

plan

reg ula te

the a c

e uid is g

rules

ea ms or inf

nt i

o et

n ow its

METRO

an da

individual wants to

DELIVERY

topic

act

observe

ne CAFE s

MARKET

c ha nge able

ea c

assess

OFFICES

conversation defi

by a

rules

OFFICES

INFORMATION CENTRE

reg ula te

y to

STAGE

SUPERLOBBV

ne s

topic

the ne xt w a

MULTIFORM THEATRE

ADMINISTRATION

conversation defi

This meaning

rt o

is built in t he

PATRONS LOUNGE

CITY STAGE

meaning

BAR/CAFE

PATRONS LOUNGE

ea ms or inf

or d

RESTAURANT

APARTMENTS APARTMENTS APARTMENTS c reates SKY TERRACE shared world STUDIOS

COSTUME SHOPS

n ow its

plan

EXHIBITIONS

APARTMENTS APARTMENTS APARTMENTS VOCATIONAL TRAINING

shared world c reates

imagination

SKY TERRACE

han geab le

SKY EVENT

This meaning

by ac

We play to have fun. We play to develop relationships, learn new things, and know ourselves better. Play can be cooperative, competitive, even selfish. It occurs in a variety of times and places, beginning when we are children and continuing throughout our lives. Play is an activity through which we exercise and develop our creativity; it is a source of innovation and new ways to solve problems.

meaning

engagementcreates

c e to s tan s ub

is built in t he

imagination The concepts consists of introducing play on site and looking at a way in which it can enhance the potential of the site to become a social condenser. Providing rehearsal studios and a performance venue for the surrounding theatres allows for play to be introduced on site.

ic h es

e to DEVELOPMENT tanc ubs s es

ic h es

creates

WEEK 2 - 5 CONCEPT

PROGRAMMATIC MIX

engagementcreates

creates

INTRODUCE PLAY PLAY vs THE PLAY

end (pause) crystallizes

benefit/harm adds to an individual’s 21

INTRODUCE COMMUNICATION QR CODE ON THE FACADE The Velvet Studios produces a QR Code effect through a pattern of four different panels that can be seemlessly tiled by sharing the same pattern at their edges. The pattern provides areas of transparency and areas of opacity that, when repeated on two layers, makes the envelope less transparent when seen obliquely and more when seen frontally, giving the floors inside the building a high degree of privacy from the exterior (where the oblique view is typical in its urban context)

while preserving maximum views and light from the interior ( where the frontal view is prominent). The fragmented patterns of the context, reflected in the mirror frit of the outer layer, combine with the applied QR Code pattern to create an interesting affect.

DIFFERENT OPACITY OF THE PANELS 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%

FACADE PATTERNS

THE SKETCHES

WEEK 3-5

FORMING THE DESIGN

WEEK 6-7

SKETCHES WEEK 8-9

WEEK 10

Final Sketch of my design 02 May 2011

I had over 40 sketches for this project so I have added a few here to show the development of the project over the weeks development

MODEL DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2-10 MODEL DEVELOPMENT

Over the time period of the project I slowly began to develop my ideas by focussing on building up the block. I started by creating micro or smaller spaces of theatre performance and worked on building up each piece of blue foam to represent a program or building form. These designs helped me develop my project while I also drew a lot of inspiration from a lot of existing projects. Final Sketch Model Week 12 - 6th May 2011

INSPIRATION PRECEDENCE

CASA DA MUSICA

Arrangement of programs

FOA - JOHN LEWIS DEPARTMENT

Facade Inspiration

INSPIRATION

EXPERIAN

Rehearsal Studios protruding out of the building

REX - WYLY THEATRE

Multiform Theatre inspiration 26

BIG - MOUNTAIN

Perforated aluminium mesh

GSW BUILDING

Aerofoil roof design 27

SITE STRATEGIES SITE STRATEGIES

DESIGN STEP 1

DESIGN STEPS & AXONOMETRIC

SITE - PROGRAM

DESIGN STEP 1

Insertion of multiple programs on site in zones reflecting requirements of the programs and non-linear programming drawing

Initial Design steps was to surround the rehersal centre with other programs and have exhibition at the top.

PROGRAM ELEMENTS DESIGN PROBLEMS: Programs were not high desity enough. Design lacked a clear strategy

These additional proograms work in relation to the theatre. divided into eight seperate areas on site

SKY EVENT

+55.00

LOW FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

FIC

DESIGN STEP 2

ST AG E

KE T M AR

NS IO

Y CIT

EX HIB IT

TH EA T

R BA EST R/ AU CA RA FE NT

S DIO ST U

RE HE R

SA L

+55.00

LOW FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

+49.00 +49.00

SKY TERRACE

Second Design steps was to seperate the rehersal areas and add an egg theatre to the back of the building with the circulation central

+44.00 +44.00

DESIGN STEP 3 SEMI FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

+40.00

Third Design steps was to surround the rehersal centre with other programs and have exhibition at the top.

The theatre sits in the heart of the building drawing people to move up the building

+36.00 +36.00

Seperate rehersal rooms into 10x10m spaces the cluster to the front of the building

SEMI FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

All the seperate programs states combined to form a site identity

MULTIFORM THEATRE

SERVICE CORE

REHERSAL STUDIOS

+24.00 +24.00

DESIGN STEP 4

REHERSAL STUDIOS

+28.00 +28.00

DESIGN STEP 4

GALLERY

CHANGING ROOMS

+32.00

HIGHLY FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

GALLERY

+32.00 DESIGN PROBLEMS: Structure lacked a structural grid along with a cler organization of programs

COMBINED PROGRAM

STUDIOS

MULTIFORM THEATRE

CHANGING ROOMS

The theatre sits in the heart of the building drawing people to move up the building

Elements of the program that have to remain in close proximity to each other and the road allowing the people to filter into the building and move out of it from the metro below the site. Connecting to the vertical circulation directly.

APARTMENTS APARTMENTS

DESIGN STEP 3

RESTAURANT

DESIGN PROBLEMS: Structure of the egg was too heavy to hang from circulation core.

Programs that are high in activity but low in flexibilty and surround the theatre

HIGHLY FLEXIBLE PROGRAM

EXHIBITION CENTRE

RESTAURANT

DESIGN STEP 2

Programs that are high in activity but low in flexibilty and surround the theatre

EXHIBITIONS

+12.00 +12.00

PATRONS LOUNGE

STUDIOS

PATRONS LOUNGE CITY STAGE

CITY STAGE CITY STAGE

+8.00 +8.00

Create a structual grid and service cores along with ramps and stairs that run vertically

OFFICE

STAIRS

2 main atrium spaces cut out of the building

ESCALATORS

0.00

TICKET OFFICE/ STORAGE/ CAFE DELIVERY

TICKET OFFICE/ STORAGE/ CAFE

-10.00 SERVICE CORE RAMPS

-10.00

COMBINED PROGRAM

All the seperate programs states combined to form a site identity

DESIGN STEP 5

METRO Fill atrium space with multiform theatre and extend the flytower throught the building

INFORMATION CENTRE EXIT FROM THE METRO INFORMATION CENTRE EXIT FROM THE METRO

DESIGN STEP 6 DESIGN STEP 4

RESTAURANT RESTAURANT

REHERSAL STUDIOS

EXHIBITION SPACES & STUDIOS

REHERSAL STUDIOS

OFFICES

MULTIFORM THEATRE

OFFICES MECHANICAL & LIGHTING ROOM MECHANICAL & LIGHTING ROOM

Surrounding programs work around structural grid and extends out of the building acting as spaces to be viewed by the public such as the rehersal spaces.

Fill atrium space with multiform theatre and extend the flytower throught the building

GALLERY & VOCATIONAL TRAINING PUBLIC STAGE GALLERY & VOCATIONAL TRAINING

PUBLIC STAGE

THE PLANS SCALE 1:500 BASEMENT

GROUND

INFORMATION CENTRE

SUPERLOBBY

METRO EXIT

TICKET OFFICE

DELIVERY

STORAGE 28

1ST FLOOR

2ND FLOOR

OFFICE

MEN'S TOILET

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID

OFFICE

CITY STAGE

OFFICE

CAFE

STORAGE 30

R. ROOM

OFFICE STUDIO

OFFICE

R. ROOM

STORAGE

4TH FLOOR

STORAGE

3RD FLOOR

STUDIO

STUDIO STUDIO

MEN'S TOILET

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID STUDIO

STUDIO

REHERSAL STUDIOS

ADMINISTRATION

UNDER THEATRE

REHERSAL STUDIOS

ADMINISTRATION

THEATRE STAGE

CAFE

STUDIOS

MECHANICAL ROOM

CAFE

STUDIOS

MECHANICAL ROOM

CHANGING ROOMS

BACKSTAGE

PATRONS LOUNGE

CHANGING ROOMS

BACKSTAGE

6TH FLOOR

STUDIO

R. ROOM

OFFICE

R. ROOM

STUDIO

R. ROOM

STORAGE

STUDIO

STORAGE

STUDIO

STORAGE

STUDIO

JANITOR'S CLOSET

5TH FLOOR

STUDIO

MEN'S TOILET

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID

WOMEN'S TOILET

VOID STUDIO

STUDIO

REHERSAL STUDIOS

ADMINISTRATION

THEATRE STAGE

REHERSAL STUDIOS

ADMINISTRATION

THEATRE STAGE

CAFE

STUDIOS

MECHANICAL ROOM

CAFE

STUDIOS

MECHANICAL ROOM

PATRONS LOUNGE

CHANGING ROOMS

BACKSTAGE

PATRONS LOUNGE

CHANGING ROOMS

BACKSTAGE

DINING AREA

T&B

LIVING AREA

T&B

BEDROOM 2

T&B

LIVING AREA

T&B

DINING AREA

STUDIO

KITCHEN AREA

BEDROOM 1

KITCHEN AREA

DINING AREA

BEDROOM 1

T&B

LIVING AREA

T&B

BEDROOM 2

T&B

R. ROOM

OFFICE

KITCHEN AREA

BEDROOM 1

KITCHEN AREA

BEDROOM 1

GALLERY 2

STORAGE

T&B

STUDIO

T&B BEDROOM 2

STORAGE

KITCHEN AREA

BEDROOM 1

WOMEN'S TOILET

JANITOR'S CLOSET

STUDIO

STORAGE

STUDIO STUDIO

36 STUDIO

MEN'S TOILET

7TH FLOOR 8TH FLOOR

BEDROOM 1 T&B T&B BEDROOM 2

DINING AREA LIVING AREA

STUDIO

LIVING AREA

REHERSAL STUDIOS VOCATIONAL TRAINING APARTMENTS ADMINISTRATION

CAFE STUDIOS CAFE STUDIOS

ROOF TERRACE 37

STUDIO

VOID

APARTMENTS RESTAURANT

STUDIOS CAFE STUDIOS

ROOF TERRACE T&B

DINING AREA

KITCHEN AREA

BEDROOM 1

KITCHEN AREA DINING AREA

BEDROOM 1

T&B

LIVING AREA

T&B

MEN'S TOILET

BEDROOM 2

WOMEN'S TOILET

T&B

T&B BEDROOM 1

STUDIO

38 KITCHEN AREA DINING AREA

BEDROOM 1

T&B

LIVING AREA

T&B BEDROOM 2

BEDROOM 2

T&B

R. ROOM

OFFICE

T&B BEDROOM 1

BEDROOM 1

STUDIO

T&B T&B BEDROOM 2

LIVING AREA

DINING AREA

STUDIO

ADMINISTRATION

CAFE STORAGE

APARTMENTS STUDIO

T&B

KITCHEN AREA STUDIO

BEDROOM 2

CLOSET

9TH FLOOR 10TH FLOOR

GALLERY 1

GALLERY 2 R. ROOM

OFFICE

R. ROOM

LIVING AREA

ROOF TERRACE 39

STUDIO

VOID

THE RENDERS

CREATING THE INTERIOR

THE CITY STAGE

THEATRE STAGE & AUDITORIUM

VIEW OF FLYTOWER

QR CODE ON FACADE

SUPERLOBBY

INFORMATION CENTRE

REHEARSAL STU-

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -1

MARKET