A music center

The designer of a Husic Auditorium should be a music lover, a theatre-goer. He must be sensitive to the moods that music creates and to the atmosphere in which it is performed. How can he create a beautiful environment for its presentation by a merely cold mechanical process? This sensitivity to the truly fine points of designing such a structure is beyond doubt the most important. This paper will deal with the designing of areas which vlill facilitate the production of various types of musical presentations, such as concerts, operas, ballets, and chamber music p~ograms. The total environment for the spectator will be considered with the express intention of adding every possible means for the complete enjoyment of the program vli thout hindering it in any way. In order to best arrive at a solution to the many problems involved, the architect should study the design of an audi toril.:un from many points. I will list the ones vrhich I consider the most important:

1. The history of theatres and auditoriums regarding both the traditions of the presentations as well as the buildings.
2. Site selection - regarding existing traffic patterns and the natural beauty of the general area.
3. A thorough study of acoustics is :or~ first importance because of the prominence of hearing in such a project. 4. A thorough study of the spaces needed for equipment and people in the performing areas is required to design the stage and backstage
4. An investigation of the required circulation factors, both people and vehicles in and out of the building (s) and site.
5. Protection in case of an emergency. Ample precautions for fire and the rapid exit of a large mass of people is essential. ?. The related facilities for the complete enjoyment of the program should be envisioned and provided for.
6. Areas for administration and handling of sales.
7. Provision for the many functional areas required for maintainance of equipment as -Jell as the structure and grounds. The unified massing of the related elements into a beautiful and functional design requires all the talents of an artist and engineer. This paper will encompass the ideals of a music center, studying existing traditions and developing new concepts as the individual demands of a particular situation create the need.