CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)

AUDITORIUM TYPES OF THEATERS (Based on stage relationship)

Design of a large will be greatly influenced by the brief given to
the architect.
The maximum number to be accommodated and range of.
Audiences’ sizes for which the hall should cater.
The different purpose a part from ingress for which the hall may
be used such as
stage show, live theatre, concerts, exhibition and dance.
Supplementary services to be provided in the hall or foyer such
as banquet coffee and
bar services etc.
The configuration of the site and relationship with other
building and accommodation forming part of the same complex.
L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y
The Proscenium Theatre
The proscenium is the space in front of the curtain separating the stage
from the audience. The proscenium arch, which may take several shapes, is
the opening in the wall through which the audience views the
performance. A curtain that either rises or opens to the sides may hang in
this space. The proscenium developed to mask scenery, hide scene-
changing and machinery and create an offstage space for performer’s exits
and entrances.Becausethe proscenium is (or appears to be) an
architectural barrier, it creates a sense of distance or separation between
the stage and the spectators. Because of the geometry of sightlines it is
difficult to arrange large audiences close to the stage as the width of the
auditorium is largely

ORGANIZATION
It may be divided into four parts:
Reception- entrance, booking hall, foyer, etc.
Auditorium
Stage- screen, back stage, etc
Projection room
The major areas of study for the design development of a
theater are:-
1. Types of theatres
2. Relationship between functions
3. Planning
4. Facilities and equipments
5. Sightlines
6. Auditorium seating
7. Acoustics and lighting
8. Stage planning
dependent on the width of the stage.
.
 CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)
The Thrust Stage
A thrust stage, sometimes known as three-quarter round, is a
platform surrounded on three sides by the audience. A thrust stage
may be backed by a wall or be appended to some sort of end stage.
The upstage end (back of the stage, farthest from the audience)
may have scenery and provision for entrances and exits, but the
stage itself is usually bare except for a few scenic elements and
props.
L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y
THE ARENA STAGE
The arena stage, or theatre-in-the-round, is a performing
space totally surrounded by the auditorium. The necessity of
providing equal sight lines for all spectators puts special
constraints on the type of scenery used and on the
movements of the actors, because at any given time part of
the audience will inevitably be viewing a performs back.
Illusion is more difficult to sustain in an arena, since in most
set-ups, entrances and exits must be maybe in full view of the
audience, eliminating surprise, if nothing else, Nonetheless,
the arena, when properly used, can create a sense of intimacy.

THE APRON STAGE

In a proscenium stage, the scenery cannot be brought right to the back surface of the
proscenium wall or it would foul safety curtain. The line beyond which the scenery cannot be
set is called the setting line and is usually 1m back from, the proscenium wall. The part of
the stage that is between the setting line and the stage riser is called the forestage. And
when it is extended right into the auditorium it is called an Apron stage and it can give an
open stage effect by bringing the acting area into the same space ab the audience. The apron
can fixed or movable and can also be
lowered to from the orchestra pit.
 CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUNCTIONS PLANNING
• Reception: entrance hall, foyer, box, office, cloakroom, toilets, Planning allowances for theatres :
corridors, stairway, optional shop, exhibition space, information For well spaced seating on one floor and including
office, administration office. gangways, apron and booths, an auditorium area of 0.8-
• The reception area of the building should have a sensitive relation 0.9m² per seat (excluding the stage) may be used for
with the landscape. Access to the main auditorium should be preliminary planning.
prominent with allowances for people with disabilities and Planning is divided into three parts according to the
preventing congestions. functions:
• Auditorium: main seating area, optional box theater. Public spaces
• Stage/backstage: main stage, wings, back stage area, dressing Performance areas
rooms, wardrobe shop, workshops, and education room. Administration areas
SIGHTLINES PUBLIC SPACES
L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

Key factors determining sightlines are Entrance- the location of the main public entrance to the
Anthropometrics theatre depends on the site conditions.
Seat spacing The position should be a prominent one and easily
Design of chairs recognizable.
The key dimension upon which sightline calculation depends is the Foyer- in the foyer, the entrance of various parts and levels of
height of the eye above the the auditorium should be clear.
ground in sitting position and height of the top of the head above the eyes. Entrance to the auditorium - means of escape regulation will
The arrangement of seats and design of chairs also aid the proper visual determine a minimum number of exits from the auditorium.
access. However, means of circulation have to be free for toilets and
refreshment bars. Fire separation between alternative means
of escape needs to be maintained.
Acoustic separation- all connections from the foyer and
auditorium should have acoustical separation with doors
having acoustical ceiling strips.
Bars and restaurant - the location of the bars and restaurants
should be easily accessible from the foyer however they
should not impede the circulation of the auditorium.
 CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)
5. AUDITORIUM SEATING:-
•An area of at least 0.5 m² per spectator is to be used for sitting
spectators.
A maximum of 16 seats per aisle should be there.
•25 seats per aisle are permissible if one side exit door of 1m width is
provided.
•Staggering of seats should be done for better viewing.
•Minimum width of an aisle is 1m.
•Minimum width of cross aisle is 1.5m

ROW SPACING:
Row spacing should provide a clear space of not less than 12 inches
L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

from the back of the one chair to the front of another chair.
Rows of chair shall not exceed 14 chairs between aisles.
Aisles serving 60 seats shall be a min. of 30 inches wide & serving
more than 60 seats shall be at least 3 feet wide.
MINIMUM DIMENSIONS
Back to back distance between rows of seats: 760mm(min)
Width of seats with arms: 510mm(min)
Width of seat without arms: 460mm(min)
Minimum width of gangway: 1070mm.

•STAGE PLANNING:- Meters feets

•Stage proportion is developed from the lines of vision from the For drama 9-12 30-40
auditorium.
•The two diagrams show the proportioning of a stage with proscenium
for the playing area, the back stage, the side stage and the fly gallery. Concerts 12-18 40-60
•Normal proscenium widths are:
Opera 18-24 60-80
 CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)
COMMITTEE ROOMS PARKING:-
• They are used floor holding comparatively small size meeting, group
discussions in parallel to different sessions of conventions held in STANDARD CAR DIMENSIONS
auditorium. PARKING CONFIGURATION
• The arrangement of furniture is variable for e.g. For a capacity of 60 LOCATION
seats a fixed table for 45 seats can be provided for rest being observers, CAR PARK DESIGN
or auditorium style stepped seating may be provided. PARKING LAYOUT
• Each person should have at least 0.6m wide table surfaces. RAMPS

BOARD ROOMS There is continuous increase in the vehicle

• Defined as room in which board of directions regularly hold meetings. It numbers, with a corresponding demand for better
is in fact a specially upgraded conference room with a fixed room for and more parking areas with easy access and good
L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

16-25 seats, executing chairs, high level finishes, services. All commercial buildings may it be offices,
• front or rear screen projectors and a private lounge or ante room with museums; shopping arcades, etc. have to lay special
toilet and telephone facilities. emphasis on their parking not only for their workers
but also for the visitors with special attention to the
peak hours.
Food courts and restaurant:
• Food courts are large halls that house groups of small outlets selling a
wide variety of food products.
• Customers can either sit and eat on the premises or take food away.
With attractive displays and a market style environment, food courts
offer a pleasant shopping environment and can be added to
supermarket beyond the check outs.
• The kitchens and pantry are taken to be 20-30% of the dining space.