esplanade theatres – hits & misses

 

HITS

• A fully tuneable Concert Hall made possible by the cavernous “Russell Johnson reverberation chambers” with 108 doors, canopy and draperies.
• Asian expression in Concert Hall design with timber forms alluding to the hull of boat or basket, thanks to DP architect Lydia Fong.
• Acoustical barrier between Concert Hall and Concourse to insulate it from vibrations and noise of MRT trains, barely visible on floors on hall entrances.
• Two small performance rooms cleverly morphed from rehearsal studios, to compensate for the Adaptable Theatre and Black Box that had been phased out.
• Jendela art gallery created out of the VIP entrance foyer, conceived for quiet entrances by VIPs prior to their ceremonial entrance into the hall.
• A reasonable-sized F & B and shopping annex popular among casually-dressed Singaporeans so they can have a claim on the beloved “durians’ even if they don’t feel ready to “endure” an arts performance.
• A waterside esplanade nearly as romantic as the original Esplanade from which the building takes its name.
• Stop for ferry services envisaged to ply Tanjung Rhu to Marina South and Singapore River.
• The clever redeployment of steps at Main Concourse for an art showcase including attractive festive seasonal installations.
• Light cones filtering light into the carpark.
• Toilets that open on two ends to avoid congestion, a lesson from the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Centre.

 

MISSES

• A Medium Size Theatre (800 seats)
• An Adaptable Theatre (400 seats) designed to accommodate Asian performing arts
• A Black Box (200 seats)
• Seamlessless between the Dance Studio and the rooftop to allow pageantry and performance to flow into each other.
• A lushier garden outside the artists dressing rooms.
• An in-house recording studio to facilitate the tele / broadcasting of performances  without the inconvenience of having to bring in an OB van.
• A one-million square feet waterfront commercial complex housing modest artist accommodation, global alumni club and other retail shops. to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the Esplanade.

HAPPY MISS

• A 10-lane Esplanade Drive which thankfully, was narrowed to 8 lanes,  giving the Esplanade a larger entrance forecourt.