Architectural Design

1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

Chapter 3 final (3.1)_.qxd:layouts to chapter one 7/24/10 7:32 AM Page 78

The design project

Clients, users and brief

Developing the brief

Outdoor theatre forHamlet by

Anna Beer. The designer mapped the

narrative of the play on to the site to

develop the brief.

The student experience

This section charts the progress of a group of architecture

students as they begin a 12-week design studio project and

learn how to design for clients and users and develop a brief.

The brief

In week one the students were given a brief to design an

outdoor theatre and actor’s residence for a local theatre

company in a public park. Each designer was to choose

the identity of the actor and the inaugural Shakespeare play

to be performed there. As with all architectural briefs, it was

incomplete, allowing the designer to develop it and infuse it

with their own interests and imagination.

Sketchbooks were used to record early observations,

data and many different first ideas. Group tutorials were

an important way for students to compare diverse and often

conflicting observations, refine their own brief and make

connections between different ideas, particularly between

the brief and the play. Students were encouraged to question

their assumptions and open up the possibilities of the project

as widely as possible.

Students were encouraged to challenge the restrictions in the

project brief, as shown below:

A space to sell tickets. A space for actors/musicians to

change. A space to shelter the audience in wet weather

performances. A space for the Actor in Residence to

sleep, eat, wash, relax, change; also (optional) entertain

guests and perform/rehearse.

The park itself should function as a free public open

space and contain infrastructure/set design/landscaping

to support performances. As the design develops,

you need to make decisions on whether the facilities

and infrastructure should be permanent, temporary

or seasonal.

Ergonomic study

Outdoor theatre forKing Lear by

Ralph Saull. This ergonomic study

of comfort, park etiquette and

seating layouts for an outdoor theatre

considers the experience of the user.

Text

1st ProofTitle: BA: Architectural Design

Job No: PD0710-67/4028

Chapter 3 final (3.1)_.qxd:layouts to chapter one 7/24/10 7:32 AM Page 78