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