Sara Jellicoe

DANCE THEATRE

“Black box” flexibility: allows for many types of dance shows

Begin with practical, basic rectangular prism.

• Flat floor• Moveable seating

HallAudience/Lobby

Performers/Backstage

Audience and

PerformersHall

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A rectangular face on the south side of the building and a humble footprint allow for the most efficient use of space for a 150 seat theatre and leave room for future development.

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Initially the creation of a private zone for set loading purposes was desired.

1

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Relocation to Sackville, more public and lively, addressing 3 streets at once.

2

The house space is tilted off the city grid to draw attention to its importance as the object of destination for both performers and audience members, and to encourage pedestrian traffic in front of the theatre entrance.

Lobby and Backstage

Lobby and Backstage

Creation of a plaza to face and open up to Halifax nightlife (nearby restaurants, bars, cafes) for theatre-goers.

Creation of a green space to block noise from the corner of Sackville and Hollis, the noisiest spot on the site, to invite pedestrian traffic from the waterfront and give a pleasant view to the dressing rooms and green room.

A flat floor black box space requires a Hollis level entry, while the end stage with raked seating requires a Granville level entry. The building entry is placed between these, creating three lobby levels, allowing for viewing and even performance between them.

North Elevation

The height of surrounding buildings and slope of the site make the theatre rooftop space highly visible. An inhabitable green roof provides visual interest, makes the downtown area more hospitable and insulates against noise intrusions.

South Elevation

East Elevation

West Elevation

The theatre angle reaches to the only view of the water on the site. Green roof levels allow for viewing. Overlooking windows are located in the dressing rooms and green room.

West Elevation

South Elevation

SACKVILLE

GRANVILLE

HOLLIS

Front and Back of House wrap around

The fly tower is a central feature and fills the entire theatre space.

The slope of the (retractable) theatre seats follows the slope of the site, minimizing excavation and making audience descent feel more natural.This makes the front and back of house switch sides.

South Elevation

SACKVILLE

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HOLLIS

The fly tower need not fill the entire space. The black box space ceilings should not be as high.

Back of House has been relocated to the opposite side of the site.

The upward slope at the northeast corner gives a view of the green roof to pedestrians on the street.

The sharp angle of the house roof accommodates both the fly tower and the black box space, provides an interesting view to the surrounding (much taller) buildings, gives a juxtaposition to the plinth of the adjacent Centennial Building and effectively drains rainwater and snow loads.

South Elevation

SACKVILLE

GRANVILLEHOLLIS

Front and Back of House wrap around