Narratorium Proposal Vol. 2
A narratorium is a space or a group of spaces in which stories can be shared with the masses. The way in which a story can be shared within this structure should not be limited to verbal expression, however must be restricted to experiencing the expression directly from the individuals to whom it belongs...
The reason that a narratorium should be a place for experiencing storytelling first hand is because there is so much more to a story than just the words that are spoken. An individual that has a story to tell, has their very own physical characteristics, expressions, body language and emotion to contribute to the viewers overall experience...
SpacesFirst, within the narratorium their must be a space that allows for a large audience to attend. The viewers of this room will all be situated facing the direction of the individual of importance at the time, in auditorium style seating. The storyteller will be front and center, on a stage that is lit with as much natural light as possible to design for.
The secondary rooms will be situated throughout the structure. These spaces will hold slightly smaller groups of people, and therefore they will be slightly less formal. The biggest factor that contributes to this informal setting is that it will most likely be in a corner balcony type setting and the viewers will either stand or sit on temporary seating. These spaces will also attempt to use more natural light than stage lighting...
Then lastly will be an area in which individuals from the everyday public can come in and share their stories with friends, loved ones or even a stranger. This space will more likely take on the qualities of a coffee house or community space...
As for the exterior spaces, the main outdoor space will facilitate a community story telling space that will take on the characteristics of an amphitheater, amongst a small garden of sorts..
The secondary outdoor space will be a patio that spills out from the coffee shop into the garden. Thus, allowing the occupants of the coffee shop to enjoy the outdoor performance that is taking place at the time..
Program within SpacesThe large performance space is where the larger venues will be featured, and these can be of any human to human storytelling form. For example, it could be anything from the many types of cultural storytelling, to one person telling the story. This space will allow for a very concentrated viewing, which will allow the storyteller to perform with minimal to zero distractions...
The smaller less formal spaces will appropriately accommodate a smaller name, perhaps an aspiring storyteller or student...
The common indoor space, will be featuring a very casual setting in which groups of individuals from the general population can come in and share stories with friends and loved ones, over coffee and pastries...
Now the outdoor space will be a space for anyone to tell their stories in, somewhat of an extention to the main indoor space...
Next the patio that will open from the coffee shopm, will allow the individuals within the coffee shop to redirect their attention to the outdoor performing space. This space will offer both hospitality and entertainment, which will make for a great activity for many...
A Typical DayThroughout the duration of a day an individual who is visiting can enjoy many different performances. In the morning the lobby will open early, thus allow individuals who are on their way to work to come in and possibly share a cup of coffee and a story with a friend.
As the day continues the main and secondary performances spaces will open. The open balcony spaces will be available to aspiring storytellers to show off their talents to school children for field trip occasions. The main space during the day hours will have educational performances for children to visit on field trips as well as short performances that may appeal to an older audience. In the evening, the secondary spaces will begin to close and the main performance space will feature story telling until the later evening times.
The coffee shop, in response to the main performance space, will stay open quite late. This will allow individuals to experience storytellers well into the evenings and then use the coffee shop as a place to share stories of their own, possible related to what they just heard.
For the public, the actives will remain quite the same from month to month. The mild changes will include cultural celebrations and performances as well as a change of venue overall, in order to keep the public returning.
Yearly, however the program will change according to the season and the change of weather. The change from winter, to spring, to summer will increasingly allow change to the amount of activities that can take place in the outdoor garden amphitheater. Also allowing the individuals in the coffee shop to spill out into the outdoor space and enjoy the weather, the stories, and the coffee.
EmploymentHaving such a space, as a narratorium, there will be a need for many people to help coordinate and run the operation. For this facility there must be a janitorial staff as well as a grounds or landscape keeper. Next there will have to be individuals to run the coffee shop. Also, on staff there will have to also be several activity and performance coordinators to help approve all performances and then lastly there must be a person that has the overall say in every situation.
Now that I have formulated my opinions about what I feel a Narratorium is, I have begun to do some research into presidents and materials. Above is a concept drawing of a structure that utilizes moving and folding panels. Due to the fact that the skin moves, the structure begins to tell a story of the happenings on the interior of the building
