Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1983 - 28

THEATRE ARCHITECTURE
This is a continuation of the series begun in the Winter 1982 issue. The examples
of theatre architecture published here are reproductions of panels displayed at
USITT conventions over the past several years and the descriptive information was
supplied by the participants.
-eds.

University Centre Concert Hall
University of Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Owner: University of Victoria
Architect:
Wade Stockdill Armour & Blewett
Partner in charge / Terence J. Williams
Theatre Consultant:
S. Leonard Auerbach & Associates
Acoustics Consultant:
Bolt Beranek & Newman, Inc.
Structural Engineer:
B. W. Brooker Engineering, Ltd.
Mechanical Engineer:
D. W. Thomson & Co. Ltd.
Electrical Engineer:
Ian Hayward & Associates
Completion: 1977
Seating Capacity: 1300
Expected Use:
Symphony orchestra, chamber opera,
lectures, motion pictures, miscellaneous
university mUltiple use

The University Centre is conceived as
the hub of activity for the University of
Victoria. The complex is designed to
serve as a facility of interaction between
the students, faculty, staff and the
public. The complex houses a full spectrum of administrative functions, galleries, exhibit areas, student services and
the concert hall.
The 1300 seat concert hall is tailored
to the specific needs of the finely reputed
school of music. The emphasis on orchestral and choral work established
5t rong acoustical parameters from the
outset. After initial investigations into
conventional approaches to the hall, the
design team endeavored to break away
26

from tradition and dealt with integrating
the choral requirements with a surrounding audience configuration. The
development of a cascading balcony/
logia arrangement enabled the orchestra
to be placed at the focal poinl of an
ellipsoidal seating plan. The balconies,
as they drop in elevation behind the orchestra platform, serve alternately as
choral platforms for a chorus of 300, as
an organ loft, and as audience seating.
The variable performance criteria
range from symphony orchestra,
chamber opera, ensemble and quartet,
lectures and motion piclures. Consequently, the variable acoustical objectives are being dealt with by the incorporation of elaborately adjustable
reflecting and sound absorbing elements. A cluster of individually adjustable reflecting panels over the performance platform enables rapid control of

Theatre Design & Technology / USITT / Fall 1983

reflected energy to correspond wi th
changes in the size of the performing
group. This, together with an infinitely
adjustable array of sound absorbing
banners and curtains, makes for extreme
variability of the acoustic response of
the hall. A sophisticated sound system
will provide lecture reinforcement as
well as full recording capabilities and the
support of the most advanced electronic
music performances.
The exposed truss roof structure
houses the mechanical rigging elements
for the adjustable reflecting panels and
the sound absorbing curtains. Integrated in the trusses is a theatrical
lighting system enabling complete flexibility of spotlight location.
Access to the stage is through a series
of pivoting wing-doors which can be used as side stage entrances from beneath
the balconies for dance performances.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1983