James Tracy

RAD!

RIVER ARTS DEN A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

JAMES TRACY

ADVISOR: KELLY VRESILOVIC

SITE SUMMARY

PROGRAM LEGEND: SITE FLOOD PLANE

ART MUSEUM

The main planning issue was providing seamless pedestrian access to the site, as well as through the site to serve as a gateway to Fairmount Park.

The building is a Performing Arts Center, broken up into two buildings and three stages.

Primary public spaces include cafes, vendors, free seating for small performances, and a plaza.

Primary private spaces include a fabrication shop, recording studios, event space, and ticketed seating for a large performances.

INFO: LOCATION: River Field 302 N 24th St SC LL

KI

YL HU

AREA: 200,000 SF (4.6 Acres) ER

V RI PARK TOWN PLACE

ZONING: SP-PO-A Recreation

CASE STUDIES

CASE STUDIES

ZARYADYE PARK | DS+R | MOSCOW

SEATTLE OPERA AT THE CENTER | NBBJ | SEATTLE INFLUENCES:

INFLUENCES:

A Performing Arts venue very well integrated into a park, so much so that a pathway cuts between the stage and seating.

Flips the program of an Opera House “inside-out” to have the behind the scenes functions up against the street and visible.

Additionally, the large undulation glass canopy and sloped lawn with program underneath.

Creates activity and educational experiences at times other than when there is a performance.

PRITZKER PAVILION | GEHRY | CHICAGO

HYPAR PAVILION | DS+R | NEW YORK CITY INFLUENCES:

INFLUENCES:

Another Performing Arts venue very well integrated into a park. When not in use, the large grass lawn is a public amenity

The form provides access to a grassy lawn on the roof while tucking a restaurant underneath.

Also, the whimsical shapes and colors support the arts very well.

Allows for a dual function of the structure.

PROCESS DRAWINGS

PROCESS DRAWINGS

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW

PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW LEGEND: SITE 10 MIN WALK 20 MIN WALK 15 MIN BUS ROUTE 30 MIN BUS ROUTE MFL SUBWAY BSL SUBWAY TROLLEY

INFO: The site is very accessible by both public transportation as well as on foot.

The Parkway redesign to eliminate traffic will work in unison with the Performing Arts Center.

LEGEND: RAISED LAWN CAFES / VENDORS PRODUCTION STUDIOS

TECHNICAL REVIEW LEGEND: LEGEND:

TECHNICAL REVIEW GROUND FLOOR PLAN 9

9

8

6

L NE TU N

7

6

6

NORTH LAWN: 1 - CAFE / RETAIL 2 - RESTROOM 3 - VENDOR

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

1

1

A

A

SOUTH LAWN: 4 - FABRICATION SHOP 5 - RECORDING STUDIO 6 - REHEARSAL STUDIO 7 - EVENT SPACE 8 - LOBBY / LOUNGE

DN

1

B

B

1 C

C

2 2

D

1

3

3

3

DN

PAVEMENT ENTRY

3

3 D

E

E

5 4 3 2 1

A

B

C

D

E

DN F

4

G

5 8

5

INFO:

STA GE

7

DN

F

F

G

G

H

H

5

H

6

6

I

I

J

J

J

I

K

K

K

DN

DN

TOTAL AREA: 200,000 SF NORTH LAWN

PLAZA NEL

TUN

SOUTH LAWN

D BR EST ID RIA GE N

8

7

5

RAISED LAWN PAVEMENT RAISED LAWN ENTRY

9

LEGEND:

8

7

SOUTH SEATING

NORTH LAWN: -16,000 SF -1,000 People -Retail, Cafes, Bathrooms, Vendors Under

0’

20’ 40’

80’

ARCH 494 | TRACY

SOUTH LAWN: -24,000 SF -2,000 People -Studios, Event, Production Under

PE

AN

STAGE

0’

ARCH 494 | TRACY

1

SECTION:[NAME] SCALE: 1" = 50'

TECHNICAL REVIEW

FINAL REVIEW River Arts Den introduces a Performing Arts Center to a new, pedestrian-oriented Benjamin Franklin Parkway that promotes art, culture, and activity at both day and night, throughout every season.

The goal of the project is to find a better way to engage the grand diagonal boulevard with its surrounding community, while taking advantage of the site to celebrate a gateway and connection from Center City to Fairmount Park.

Not only does this reinforce the idea of returning great city streets to pedestrians rather than vehicles, it also sets a precedent for a more pleasing urban experience by means of an infusion of public spaces.

FINAL REVIEW

FINAL REVIEW LEGEND:

ART MUSEUM

RI

NG

N PE

SP

VA YL

EN

S

RD

N

ST

IA E

V A

EAKINS OVAL

NORTH LAWN: 1 - CAFE / RETAIL 2 - RESTROOM 3 - VENDOR

RAISED LAWN PAVEMENT ENTRY

N

GA

LEGEND:

SOUTH LAWN: 4 - FABRICATION SHOP 5 - RECORDING STUDIO 6 - REHEARSAL STUDIO 7 - EVENT SPACE 8 - LOBBY / LOUNGE

B

EN

JA

M

FR

A

PAINE’S PARK

INFO:

N

KL

IN

ST AG E

TOTAL AREA: 200,000 SF

O

M

EN

NORTH LAWN

A

D

E

SC

NORTH LAWN: -16,000 SF -1,000 People -Retail, Cafes, Bathrooms, Vendors Under

KI

YL

HU

PLAZA

LL RI

6 I-7

R VE

SOUTH LAWN

SEATING

STAGE

PR

N 22N D ST

IN

PARK TOWN PLACE

I-676

SOUTH LAWN: -24,000 SF -2,000 People -Studios, Event, Production Under BASEMENT PLAN

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

FINAL REVIEW

FINAL REVIEW LEGEND:

3

1 2 3 4

1

-

STAGE CANYON GARDEN BRIDGE

3

2 4

3

NORTH-SOUTH SECTION

1

SECTION:[NAME] SCALE: 1" = 50'

1

EAST-WEST SECTION SEATING PLAN

ROOF PLAN

1

SECTION:[NAME] SCALE: 1" = 50'

FINAL REVIEW

FINAL REVIEW

FINAL REVIEW

FEEDBACK • Inspiration was taken from many different places and put together, but it could be taken one step further for better cohesion. Be an architect!

• The diagram and the thesis of the project was clear from beginning to end.

• Performances probably cannot happen at the same time due to sound issues and overlap.

• The seating areas would be more successful with grassy areas to provide different seating and viewing options.

• Drop off zone needs to be carefully designed to avoid traffic congestion.

• Wall behind South Stage could have more transparency to provide views to Schuylkill River.

REFLECTIONS I am very pleased with how the project progressed from beginning to end. I was able to tackle very complex structural details such as the triangulated two-way slab ceiling, as well as the space frame canopy. I was also able to resolve the traffic pattern so the site could be better connected to the Parkway, which was my main goal from the beginning. With more time, I could love to keep designing. I had a lot of fun with this project.