L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)

AUDITORIUM
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.
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.
.

TYPES OF THEATERS (Based on stage relationship)

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 scenechanging and machinery and create an offstage space for performers exits
and entrances.Because the 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

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L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

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.

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.

L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUNCTIONS
Reception: entrance hall, foyer, box, office, cloakroom, toilets,
corridors, stairway, optional shop, exhibition space, information
office, administration office.
The reception area of the building should have a sensitive relation
with the landscape. Access to the main auditorium should be
prominent with allowances for people with disabilities and
preventing congestions.
Auditorium: main seating area, optional box theater.
Stage/backstage: main stage, wings, back stage area, dressing
rooms, wardrobe shop, workshops, and education room.
SIGHTLINES
Key factors determining sightlines are
Anthropometrics
Seat spacing
Design of chairs
The key dimension upon which sightline calculation depends is the
height of the eye above the
ground in sitting position and height of the top of the head above the eyes.
The arrangement of seats and design of chairs also aid the proper visual
access.

PLANNING
Planning allowances for theatres :
For well spaced seating on one floor and including
gangways, apron and booths, an auditorium area of 0.80.9m per seat (excluding the stage) may be used for
preliminary planning.
Planning is divided into three parts according to the
functions:
Public spaces
Performance areas
Administration areas
PUBLIC SPACES
Entrance- the location of the main public entrance to the
theatre depends on the site conditions.
The position should be a prominent one and easily
recognizable.
Foyer- in the foyer, the entrance of various parts and levels of
the auditorium should be clear.
Entrance to the auditorium - means of escape regulation
will determine a minimum number of exits from the
auditorium. 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.

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L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

5. AUDITORIUM SEATING:An area of at least 0.5 m 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
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:Stage proportion is developed from the lines of vision from the
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.
Normal proscenium widths are:

For drama

Meters
9-12

feets
30-40

Concerts

12-18

40-60

Opera

18-24

60-80

L I T R AT U R E S T U D Y

CONVENTION CENTRE (BHOPAL)

COMMITTEE ROOMS
They are used floor holding comparatively small size meeting, group
discussions in parallel to different sessions of conventions held in
auditorium.
The arrangement of furniture is variable for e.g. For a capacity of 60
seats a fixed table for 45 seats can be provided for rest being observers,
or auditorium style stepped seating may be provided.
Each person should have at least 0.6m wide table surfaces.

PARKING:-

BOARD ROOMS
Defined as room in which board of directions regularly hold meetings. It
is in fact a specially upgraded conference room with a fixed room for
16-25 seats, executing chairs, high level finishes,
front or rear screen projectors and a private lounge or ante room with
toilet and telephone facilities.

There is continuous increase in the vehicle

numbers, with a corresponding demand for better
and more parking areas with easy access and good
services. All commercial buildings may it be offices,
museums; shopping arcades, etc. have to lay special
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.

STANDARD CAR DIMENSIONS

PARKING CONFIGURATION
LOCATION
CAR PARK DESIGN
PARKING LAYOUT
RAMPS