Planning & Design Meetings Schematic Design Meeting #1 8/26/2010 - Presentation
Palo Alto HS THEATER SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
26 August 2010
P. 1
PALO ALTO HIGH SCHOOL
Palo Alto Unified School District
THEATER SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
DATE: 26 August 2010, 3:30 pm-5:00 pm
SUBJECT: Performing Art Center Schematic Design, Meeting #1
ATTENDEES: Sign-in sheet (attached)
The following are the highlights of the meeting:
1. Phil Winston (PW) welcomed the committee and asked for introductions.
2. Aimee Lopez (AL) handed out the agenda that included a schematic design
schedule for upcoming Theater meetings and presentations. AL noted that DLM will
be on an accelerated schedule to complete a schematic design presentation to the
BOE in October. A preliminary meeting with DSA is on the agenda and they will be
asked to expedite their review time from the usual 8 months to 6 months or less.
3. Bob Golton (BG) summarized the status of the CTE grant for the Theater. The
Theater project is on the border line of the $91 million available Statewide and
received the “15 day letter” requesting additional information in the summer. In
September the ROF (reservation of funds) should come and the school will have 1
year to convert the ROF to an apportionment which requires approval of
construction documents by DSA.
4. Michael Nagar (MN) asked when the status of the Theater budget could be
discussed if the grant money came in or not. BG noted that the discussion would
occur at the FSC meeting. Erwin Lee (EL) noted that with Schematic Design there
will be a much more accurate cost estimate to work with.
5. EL explained progress made to date on the Theater design and presented updated
plans. Following is a summary:
Theater site plan now incorporates the landscape master plan. It illustrates the new
plaza and how the design relates to the Haymarket Theater and campus. Parking
was added where possible buffered by ‘green’ zones.
First floor now features doors onto a front patio to allow patrons to go outside during
shows. The auditorium footprint was tested to make sure that the 600 seat capacity
worked in the allotted space.
Service entry is located at the back, hidden from Embarcadero but easy to reach
from the access road. The Green Rooms have increased in size and have exterior
windows for natural light and ventilation.
Palo Alto HS THEATER SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
26 August 2010
P. 2
Second floor features overlooks to below and to the Stanford campus. The
Classroom is off the main stairway with an office and storage space.
Balcony seating area has been pulled back to provide a larger 2-story space but it
has also been extended forward at the sides with smaller balconies to make the
space more intimate.
6. Jedd de Lucia (JL) explained the technical aspects of the design:
The first level has an ‘H’ shaped seating configuration with a shallow section in front
and a steeper sloped section in back that provides good sight lines and easy
circulation to the stage. The center section of the “H” allows for accessible stage
access from both sides of the house. The back section has a porch for the audio
sound boards with secure access from the Control Room.
The balcony has a steeper section for better sightlines. The space will provide a
good balance for theater, drama and music. Lighting positions have been located at
the leading edge.
The Green rooms will contain the make-up counters and the Dressing Rooms will
only be used for changing.
The Storage area off the Stage is very convenient for props. The staff agreed to
meet to review storage needs and assign areas for the program needs.
The catwalks are still in design but there will be 3 catwalks for lighting and audio.
7. The following discussion ensued on the current design:
Kathleen Woods (KW) asked how the large storage area on the 2nd floor would
be accessed and used. JD noted that access would be by the elevator. It would
be used for costumes and small props like furniture.
EL noted that access from the scene shop in Building 100 is governed by the
low overhang of the existing roof which is about 10-feet.
JD noted that the orchestra shell and holding area for tall scenery will require a
20-foot high clearance and that the overhead door to the stage will need to be
20-foot high. He noted that exterior overhead doors for truck unloading need
only be 10-feet high as the height of typical truck doors is 117 inches.
MN noted that if access from the scene shop at Building 100 is limited then
another location should be found for the scene shop such as Haymarket. JD
noted that any location further than Haymarket will require truck transport.
Question was asked, how big are the doors at Haymarket?
The idea of a hoist-way to take props to the 2nd floor was discussed but KW
noted that this was not appropriate for students. JD noted that a service elevator
should be avoided because of expense.
EL noted that the Trap Room could be used to store scenery (flat) with access
via the orchestra pit platform which acts like a large elevator.
KW noted that the storage issue will need to be discussed with James Hilmer
who is absent today.
MN asked where such seating configurations have been used. JD responded
that at the Berkley Rep and Mountain View Theater. JD noted that balcony is not
Palo Alto HS THEATER SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
26 August 2010
P. 3
as steep as the Curran or Geary and the spatial volume will be good for music.
8. EL opened a discussion on the general spatial feeling of the house:
EL noted that the lobby of the new theater could have a modern feel while the
exterior could be reminiscent of the older campus buildings. However, the
interior of the auditorium or ‘house’ could again be more classical in feeling.
The trend of new theaters is that of infinity ceilings softened by acoustical
‘clouds’ which are ceilings with upper portions painted-out black. With the
exterior of the building taking cues from the Tower and Haymarket buildings it
was felt that the ‘house’ should also relate and it would be a huge surprise. After
discussion with Bill Dohn (BD), acoustical consultant, the idea emerged to
create a ‘house’ interior with a classical feeling and an actual ceiling. Arches,
chandeliers and other details reminiscent of traditional theaters would tie the
theater design to the older campus buildings.
MN concurred that this approach was the right one. A cavernous space such as
the theater at Menlo-Atherton was not the feeling wanted at Paly.
KW concurred that the infinity ceilings were generally out of scale and would not
provide the kind of space she wanted for drama.
BD noted that the theater in Pasadena was a good example how an interior
design can make a space intimate and exciting.
9. BD explained some technical aspects of the acoustical design.
MN summarized the meeting held with the acoustics engineer to discuss the
program and acoustic goals for the theater. MN will coordinate a theater visit to
Saratoga.
The ‘house’ will have the ability to change from a reverberant space for music to
a ‘dry’ space for speeches and drama. The ‘house’ acoustics will be flexible by
automatically moving curtains and panels. Venues for drama and music will
require some overlapping requirements.
BD recommended a custom orchestra shell as these are much more attractive.
JD added that the standard shell was acceptable.
10. EL and JD reviewed the other spaces of the theater with the group and the
following discussion followed:
At the Lobby the ticket booth should service both the interior and exterior and
include a ‘Will-call’ window.
JD noted that the Concessions would include a sink, refrigerator and dishwasher
but not cooking appliances. The group concurred that this was appropriate. JD
added that the sale of other items should be separate or at an adjacent counter.
Caroline Willis (CW) noted that the Concessions might move to one side so that
the Lobby could accommodate groups at one end. EL agreed to look at this.
CW noted that the Lobby might open up to the exterior patio even more. The
group agreed that this was desirable but acoustically it needs to work. BD
thought that this was possible.
Palo Alto HS THEATER SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
Palo Alto Unified School District
26 August 2010
P. 4
CW noted that the southwest exposure of the Lobby needs to be addressed. EL
responded that solar shading would be an integral part of the design.
EL asked what the Classroom program is. KW noted that it was an alternative
teaching place. MN noted that its use needed further study.
EL noted that the Classroom would have its own HVAC equipment in order to
operate independently from the theater. KW agreed with this and added that the
Lobby might also operate independently. MN concurred with this.
KW noted that the Classroom should be similar to a ‘black-box’ space. BD noted
that the space should have a black Masonite floor and have windows for natural
light (with black-out shades). JD mentioned that a raised stage would require
accessibility and he would not recommend it here.
JD noted that the Orchestra Pit would hold about 25 musicians. KW asked that it
be outfitted with data/power for electronic music boards. Staff will meet
separately to review the program needs for the orchestra.
11. Schedule:
Next Monthly Theater Sub-Committee meeting will be scheduled for September 23rd
at 3:30 PM.
A follow up meeting may occur next Thursday, September 2nd.
END
Prepared by Christopher Ades of Deems Lewis McKinley. Please advise if you feel that any of the above
items are inaccurate or need further clarification or detail.
cc: Attendees
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