Boxoffice (Apr-Jun 1939)

Converting an Old Commercial Into a Modern Theatre Building All Exhibitors , Please Note If you have recently remodeled or otherwise modernized your theatre and are particularly proud of the result, please send us photographs and details. Through the presentation of these Case Histories, it is our purpose to raise the standard of theatre construction and outfitting and thus render a service to the entire industry. Your cooperation is requested. — The Editor. A remodeling case history covering the plan and structural process by which some unusual conditions were met and overcome. Sketches and particulars supplied by C. A. BALCH, Architect. THE need for special architectural ingenuity and engineering ability is frequently encountered in the conversion of old buildings, and particularly buildings originally designed for other purposes, to the more exacting demands of public occupancy for moving picture entertainment. It must be remembered that few other building projects, whether in original conception or structural conversion, demand such careful study on so many diiferent points of functional efficiency as the modern theatre. Besides the usual factors for public safe.y and service, the theatre building presents special problems in traffic regulation, acoustics, air conditioning, sight lines, advertising facilities, sanitation, lighting effect, decorative design and seating efficiency. Human comfort and convenience must be provided for amply in the conception of a modern theatre whether it be the construction of a new (building or the correction of an old one. The case at hand, presented by Mr. C. A. Balch, theatre architect of Los Angeles, is an excellent example of a well-planned alteration project. Mr. Balch is a member of the Advisory Board of the Modern Theatre Planning Institute, sponsored by this publication. Problems Presented An old store building in the city of Porterville, California, was acquired by Principal Theatres, Inc., and recently converted into a modern theatre. The project involved the overcoming of some rather unusual conditions as shown in the accompanying sketches submitted by Mr. Balch. Upon investigating the old structure, which occupied an area 50 feet wide by 110 feet long, it was found that the roof system of independent roof trusses was supported by a central line of steel columns, the ends of trusses resting on a girder supported by these columns. The ceiling was too low to permit the building of a new floor system above the old store floor and the side walls would not allow the raising of the ceiling and roof without considerable expense. However, there was a full basement under the old store with a heavy wood joist and girder construction supported on wood columns. All of the side walls and ceiling joists of the store room had a fairly good plastered surface and the space between ceiling joists above the first story had been filled with rice husks to a depth of about six inches for heat insulation. To remove the existing steel columns supporting the roof system, a new truss was designed to parallel the side walls over the center line of columns with the ends of the new trusses bearing on new wood columns located at the rear of the stage and at the rear wall of the projection room. After the truss was in place, the bottom cord of the new truss was bolted to the existing girder over the center of the building and all the steel columns removed. This work saved all of the existing roof, plastered ceiling and insulating material in the attic space. Ingenious Use of Ice Heavy girders supporting the wood floor system were cut off at the side walls, and after jacks had been set in place, all of the posts were cut off at the right height and the floor lowered to proper levels as shown. Since it was impossible to lower that section next to the stage to the proper level with jacks, blocks of ice were installed in place of the jacks and as they melted the floor gradually settled into place. The walls and ceiling of the auditorium were covered with one-half inch decorative acoustical board over the old plaster. The material was selected for color and texture and applied to form a pleasing design on the walls, thereby avoiding all painted decoration. No other acoustical treatment was necessary. Sloping area exits were provided in the rear. The air conditioning equipment was installed in the basement under the lobby with supply ducts extending the length of the auditorium on side walls next to the ceiling with a return air system under the auditorium floor. A new front of concrete was provided for the building. The drawings of the structure before and after the alterations ; i * i j i T fSi i 1 i i i i T t i i i 1 1 t 1 i i i r i 1 i i i 1 ! 4 i E>A3LMtNT PLAN ’-air’"-" SECTION AA JTttC.tT fttONT DODTtUVlLLt 5TOUC BUILDING 1 BtroRt Altlration 64 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION