Laminae Theatre
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2A Architecture Studio : The Affect of Cinema December 2018 Supervised by: Dereck Revington, David Correa
This studio explored the atmospheric affects of cinema and how they could be translated into architecture through light, material, volume, and progression through space. The study of various films - particularly In the Mood for Love by Wong Kar-Wai - led me to an interest in the use of transluscent materials, expansion of space, and view framing to create the experience of anticipation as users ascend into a performance space. Composed of three enfolding, doublecurved walls, The Laminae Theatre is a ballet performance space. A soft, warm light emits from within its walls to cast a soft glow against the cityscape and invites spectators from afar to witness the spectacle of dance against the backdrop of the night sky. Its double curved walls, or “petals�, are formed by a timber structure, encased in a translucent screen skin. These petals are nestled into one another, creating layers of interior passageways and staircases. As spectators and performers wind upward
into the grand performance space, glimpses of shadow and movement become apparent behind the semi-translucent screens. The grand entrance is gestured by a large, winding curve of the outermost petal. Spectators walk up a grand staircase into a lobby, dimly lit by lights behind the semi translucent screen walls. To the rear of the building, an alternate entrance for performers can be accessed via the alleywWay, which leads into the basement performance space. Performers then enter the stage of the on the topmost floor through a back stairwell. Having reached their destinations, spectators and performers alike witness an expansion of space and light: a large dance floor opens up, the night sky extends through the glass and timber ceiling, and the warm lights cast against the gently curving wall intensify. After the performance, visitors and performers can mingle out on the balconies and rooftop, gazing out into the city.
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