Performance Driven Design

Abstract

The following thesis is solely concerned with live music and refers to such when speaking of “performance.”

With the majority of small-mid scale performance venues being retrofit into an architecture designed for a preexisting program I find that these venues are typically lacking in performance driven design. This is not to say that quality of performance is hindered or lacking. In fact, I contest that the space a performance is held in has little to do with the quality of performance and everything to do with the experiences surrounding it. This thesis is concerned with the experience of the spectator, performer, and most importantly, the intersection of these experiences.

I will explore this subject through research of first and second hand accounts of the ways in which the built environment affect performance and most important, the relationship established between the performer and the spectator. The research conducted will focus on music type, performer and spectator interaction/relationships, the perception of time, and the way elements of the built environment can be utilized in the facilitation of the relationship between the performer and the spectator experiences.

Finally, the following research is utilized in the design of an adaptive and responsive installation focusing on one site but having intended potential of being injected into the familiar small to mid scale performance venue with the functional purpose of creating a dynamic environment with the ability to host numerous music performance types while facilitating desired social interactions and perspective between the performer and the spectator. The purpose of the design is to provide a setting for performance to flourish while offering performance venues the ability to host a plethora of quality performances.