CONCEPT AS TO PLANNING AND DESIGN OF CULTURAL CENTER Consequently, the successful planning of a cultural center entails according to Time Savers Standards is the well-considered choice and unerring application of these deciding principles, whose chief theoretical and practical aspects shall be briefly describe. PLANS FOR SMALL MUSEUMS The foregoing remarks apply to every new museum, whatever its size. It shall be considered more particularly the principles and characteristics on which the planning and construction of small museums should be base It is not so easy to determine precisely within what limits the idea of the "little museum'' is to be confined; for while it may, at its smallest, consist of one room, it may on the other hand be of an appreciable extent, though still too small to be properly described as a medium sized or large museum. For the present purpose it may be assumed that the "small museum" will not consist of more than 10 to 12 medium-sized exhibition rooms (16 X24 sq ft) in addition to its other services. Natural Lighting This is one of the subjects most keenly discussed by museum authorities, and is, indeed, of outstanding Importance. It was believed at one time that electric light, being easy to switch on, adaptable and unvarying in its effects and able to give full value to architectural features, might provide not merely an alternative to the use of daylight in museums, but a substitute for It. But experience has forced us to recognize thatespecially where running expenses have to be considered-day-light is still the bast means of lighting a museum, despite the variations and difficulties which characterize it at different seasons and in different places. The building should therefore be so planned as to make the best use of this source of light.
Figure No. 1 Suggested floor plan for a small museum Source: Time Saver Standards
PLANNING THE A SMALL MUSEUM The objective of the proposed museum should be clearly defined, as well as the geographic region, the subject (history, natural history, or art) and extent of display and other services. The following is an example of a suitable basic statement for a small museum: The basic objective of the Museum is to collect, preserve, study and exhibit significant objects of the community, and provides related educational services in order to increase public knowledge and stimulate creative activity. A good museum includes these basic functions: (1) curatorial, (2) display, (3) display preparation, (4) education. In order to realize both objectives and functions, certain facilities and spaces are essential. There must be sufficient diversification of spaces to allow each function to be undertaken separately while at the same time combining certain activities in a single area as required for economy in a small museum. Because of the many and varied kinds of tasks which a museum has to perform, it is absolutely impossible to maintain good housekeeping and curatorial procedures without separation of functions into separate rooms. This relation between functions and physical facilities is summarized in the following.
Figure No. Example of a Space Organization Diagram Source: Time Savers Standards
Figure No. Example Floor Plan for a Museum Source: Time Savers Standards for Building Types
Library Library can play an important role as a cultural center. In addition to providing books, it can provide record and tape lending, music listening facilities, visual-aid facilities, and lecture series as well as act as a general information center.
Figure No.1 Possible Floor Plan 1
Figure No.1 Possible Floor Plan 2
SPACE REQUIREMENTS The program statement, includes objectives, activities, and requirements, and total needs in terms of square feet of floor space. Generally speaking, the total need may be divided into five categories: space for (1) books, (2) readers, (3) staff, (4) group meetings, and (5) mechanical operations and all other (stairways, elevators, toilets, etc.). Actual space allocations will tend to vary in accordance with the library service program in relationship to community needs. Space for Books To a large extent the amount of book shelving required will depend on the size of the library service area and whether the library is a member of a library system. Space for Readers Reader seating requirements should be determined for at least 20 years ahead. Two principal sources of information which library building planners will find equally useful for this purpose are first, a careful analysis of Costs purely local needs, and second, existing, time proven formulas applied as a basic guide. The most important factor In determining reader space needs is of course the reading potential of
the people who will use the library. A conveniently located, attractive library will stimulate dramatically increased library use. Serious errors can result when estima Space for Staff Space requirements for the staff must also be stated in the program. These estimates will be conditioned by (1) anticipated growth for a 20-year period and (2) the nature and extent of the library's service program. Staff space requirements should be calculated on the basis of 100 sq ft per staff member. It is important that this standard be met for there is ample evidence that space for staff has been outgrown more rapidly than any other type of space in most library buildings. Only too often is it easy to forget that an expanding service program will require the support of an enlarged staff. The unit of measurement of 100 sq ft per staff member includes space for desk, chair, books, and equipment. A checklist of staff work areas should include (1) administrative offices, (2) work rooms, and (3) staff lunch and lounge rooms. Meeting Rooms With the exception of the very smallest libraries, most public libraries should provide some group meeting space, at least one multipurpose meeting room. At the other extreme, a small auditorium and a series of conference rooms may be required. The services proposed by the library together with community needs for facilities of this type will be the final determinants. Space for Mechanical Operations Included within this category are halls, stairways, toilets, elevators and lifts, air ducts, heating and air conditioning equipment, closets, and shops. Multipurpose Space Plan If the foregoing limitations are applied in the horizontal plane for any given proscenium opening, they will limit an area of maximum value as seating space which is approximately elliptical. It is interesting to note that this shape for an auditorium plan was pioneered by the late Joseph Urban who had little of the present data to work with and may safely be assumed to have chosen the shape largely on esthetic grounds. A fan shape provides additional seating space at minimum sacrifice of sight lines, but nobody wants the seats in the extreme rear corners.
Seating Occupants of all seats are visually related to the performance when the seats are oriented toward the stage. This necessitates curving the rows of seats. The center of curvature is located on the center line of the auditorium approximately the depth of the house behind the proscenium. Budgetary limitations may dictate that seats be in straight rows to simplify construction; these rows can at least be related to the center of attention on stage by being placed on chords of the optimum row curvature.
ARRANGEMENT "Front" or public areas, and "backstage" or work groups, constitute the two major elements. Spectators should find everything necessary for their needs accessible from the foyer once they have presented tickets. Included are toilets, coatrooms, drinking fountains, lounges, and smoking areas. The lobby should provide waiting space and circulation to areas other than the theater, which may be contained in the building. The manager's office is convenient if adjacent to the box office and accessible from the lobby. In the work group, control of the stage entrance will avoid interference from unauthorized persons and facilitate accounting of players, properties, and scenery. Rehearsal rooms are part of the work area and should be near other work elements.
Movement of heavy furniture and other properties demands close relation between work spaces and stage proper. Dressing rooms may be more remote but within supervisory distance.
Figure No. Organizational
Chart Source: Time Savers Standards
Figure No Example Floor Plan Source: Time Savers Standards
