In essence this project required us to design an auditorium to facilitate the recent growth of students within the Victoria School of architecture and design. The design had to demonstrate clear principles of acoustic and lighting design as well as of sustainability. Appropriate use of natural lighting, heating and ventilation was an integral part of the design scheme. These would reflect the climate, culture and context relating to the facility. Adaptability could be a bonus to encourage flexibility of use now and in the future. Minimal maintenance and easy to manage and operate are factors to be considered.
It was very rewarding in the way that it challenged me to think deeply about how it was to perform acoustically, its lighting levels (maintenance of specific and consistent lux levels in important locations like the stage/ platform), sight lines from seating arrangement, passage flow, egress, fire safety etc. This project has been quite enjoyable contrasting with previous ones as often in the earlier stages of my course it has very much been about the aesthetic appearance, the emotive experiences, and building form that was of primary importance. It was great trying to find solutions to more pragmatic problems; concentrating a little more on the building function.
