A contemporary dance company and performance areas

Abstract

Contemporary art manifested as a reaction or addition to preceding arts. It either developed as a stark opposing contrast, or borrowed from the original in attempts to expand. This is equally true for all branches of art, including architecture and dance. This dissertation investigates dance and the role of the choreographer, as spatial informant for architecture. The author used selected dance performances as design generators. This process was largely based on the work of the architectural firm, UN Studio. It expands on the freedom of the architectural design process and defines a balance between ‘fantasy’ and ‘reality’. A contemporary dance company and adjoining performance areas was proposed within the urban environment of the Pretoria Central Business District (CBD). The site selection was supported by the proximity of an existing theatre. The proposed project responds to the guidelines as formulated by the student urban framework, entitled SchizoCity. SchizoCity suggests a new pedestrian layer and explores the ‘opening’ of existing arcane city blocks by adding alien programs or forms. Copyright