Conjured Spaces in the Mind - Theatre of Merged Realities
2020
This investigation into merged realities resulted in a proposal for a theatre that invites motion and the use of parallax. The proposal was informed by a proof of concept model and research undertaken into spectacle from the Baroque to film.
Parasitic Theatre in the City
The theatre is placed in the City of London which was historically rich for theatres, but is now completely devoid of them. The intent is to instigate a renewed taste in theatre to the cold routine of the City. With a parasitic approach, the design takes advantage of important landmarks around the City: St Paul’s Cathedral, Tate Modern and St Martin’s Church.
The Folding and Carving of the Rock to Create a Programme
Once encountering the uncanny rock elements forming the programme of the theatre, the scheme takes advantage of the idea of timelessness associated with the grotto, and what it represents in relation to the history of architecture and mankind. The grottoes in this project invite the curious citizen to investigate their internal worlds, revealing the programmes progressively. This is a progression perceptible in the intensifying faceting of the rock elements, which users experience when they see and touch them on their path to the main performance stage.
The Uncanny Rocks
The rock elements housing the main performance stages are first seen from the main street. Once encountering the rock elements up close, a viewer's reading of the elements changes.
The progression is guided by the intensifying faceting of the rocks as they unveil their potential through folding and carving.
Bridging Structure
With a bridge or table like design, the new structures do not touch existing buildings; columns bend gracefully as not to impede the views from existing windows.
A Theatre with Motion and Parallax
The path through the grottoes ends with the main performance stage that opens up towards the city. Rocks encountered earlier on the path up which house anciliary spaces for the theatre programme become part of the set design; negotiating between the theatre stage and the city so that it can also be included in the set.
