Precedent Study

Focusing on three different outdoor canopies, and discovering their importance in the community. This can help us better understand our current project, and how to morph nature with our structure.

The Lauridsen Amphitheater, Des Moines, IA

The Lauridsen Amphitheater was built in Des Moines, Iowa. The amphitheater resembles the surrounding oak trees, mimicking their twist and creates a leafy canopy. Built in the Water Works Park, which encompasses 1,500 acres, it sits next to one of America’s largest urban parks. The amphitheater acts as the focal point in the park, and is a part of a multi stage master plan. The plan is designed to grow the park and increase traffic within the area. The amphitheater canopy was designed by RDG Planning & Design. I wanted to study this design as it has a dual purpose. The dual-sided amphitheater is designed to accommodate small-scale performances (audiences of less than 2,000) and medium- to large-scale performances (audiences of 2,000 to 25,000).

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, Detroit, MI

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater/Chene Park Historic District consists of 9.3 acres owned by the Detroit Recreational. The amphitheater is a covered amphitheater with a stage, seating and a pavilion, that sits just next door. Crowds that fill 5,000 seats and over 1,000 lawn spaces atop a hill, and memorable. Along with the seats, there is the lake view, that shows how striking the amphitheater is. The architects behind the Aretha are Schervish, Vogel, Merz, who are a Detroit-based firm. I wanted to focus on this amphitheater as it is similar to structures we have talked about in class, such as the Denver Airport.

Viewing Platform with Canopy and Amphitheater, Divnogorsk, Serbia

Located in Divnogorsk, Serbia, this amphitheater is situated in the mountains. The town of Divnogorsk, meaning “amazing mountains,” helps us understand how inspirational the mountains were in the design of this structure. The opposite bank of the Yenisei River appears in front of the audience as a high wall of the spurs of the West Sayan Mountains with expressive rock formations and pine forests. The amphitheater was designed for small concerts and film screenings in open air. The nature of the place has its own identity and uniqueness, as well as the man-made riverfront space does. This design helps to connect the natural and urban environment in harmony. The architects OOO “ADM” have created a space that is one with nature and helps us understand the connection between the natural and urban environment. I think this space can help us understand how to tie together the natural environment and the structure that we design.