DM
Dance Machine
Dance Infrastructure

Dance Machine

Infrastructure as urban performance. Serving as both a backdrop to elegant theatrical dances and a framework for holding a wandering public, the Dance Machine enacts performance through both its program and its existence as a merged extension of the Queensboro Bridge.

Volumes are bunched together and bound by a continuous public path. The massing seeks the most opportunistic relation between the public path and the clustering of common programs.A continuous path allows the urban flaneur to move uninhibited around and through the various experiences. The path finishes as "Cheap Seats" are dropped down from the rooftop performance space—rewarding the curiosity of the flaneur with the ability to watch performances without paying.

The building frame that holds the dance spaces and public path is an appendage of the Queensboro Bridge. It mimics the found structural logic of the bridge and uses it to cantilever much of the mass above the plaza and street below while maintaining a certain degree of openness and internal visibility.

PROGRAM: Dance Studios and Performance Hall

CRITIC: Ben Pell

YEAR:
2011
AWARDS:
NEWS:
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Long section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stage

A continuous path allows the urban flaneur to move uninhibited around and through the various experiences. The path finishes as "Cheap Seats" are dropped down from the rooftop performance space—rewarding the curiosity of the flaneur with the ability to watch performances without paying.

Long section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stage
Long section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stage

PROJECT IMAGES

Perspective showing the back of the DM performance center with the stack of private practice dance rooms on the backsidePerspective showing the back of the DM performance center with the stack of private practice dance rooms on the backsidePerspective showing the back of the DM performance center with the stack of private practice dance rooms on the backsidePerspective showing the back of the DM performance center with the stack of private practice dance rooms on the backside
Collection of precedent images combining the cinematic qualities of the Queensboro Bridge with Fellini's 8 1/2 performancesCollection of precedent images combining the cinematic qualities of the Queensboro Bridge with Fellini's 8 1/2 performancesCollection of precedent images combining the cinematic qualities of the Queensboro Bridge with Fellini's 8 1/2 performancesCollection of precedent images combining the cinematic qualities of the Queensboro Bridge with Fellini's 8 1/2 performances
Model of the DM performance center highlighting the free public path for stealing glimpses into the performance hallsModel of the DM performance center highlighting the free public path for stealing glimpses into the performance hallsModel of the DM performance center highlighting the free public path for stealing glimpses into the performance hallsModel of the DM performance center highlighting the free public path for stealing glimpses into the performance halls
Perspective of the DM performance massing attached to the Queensboro bridge viewed from above the street intersectionPerspective of the DM performance massing attached to the Queensboro bridge viewed from above the street intersectionPerspective of the DM performance massing attached to the Queensboro bridge viewed from above the street intersectionPerspective of the DM performance massing attached to the Queensboro bridge viewed from above the street intersection
Long section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stageLong section perspective of the main DM performance hall with studio spaces, lower facilities and upper stage
Section drawing cutting through the road, the DM performance hall, and the Queensboro Bridge Section drawing cutting through the road, the DM performance hall, and the Queensboro Bridge Section drawing cutting through the road, the DM performance hall, and the Queensboro Bridge Section drawing cutting through the road, the DM performance hall, and the Queensboro Bridge
Initial concept sketch for distributing the various studio and theatre programs of the DM performance centerInitial concept sketch for distributing the various studio and theatre programs of the DM performance centerInitial concept sketch for distributing the various studio and theatre programs of the DM performance centerInitial concept sketch for distributing the various studio and theatre programs of the DM performance center
Perspective of the DM dance center from the street intersection showing the construction merging with the Queensboro BridgePerspective of the DM dance center from the street intersection showing the construction merging with the Queensboro BridgePerspective of the DM dance center from the street intersection showing the construction merging with the Queensboro BridgePerspective of the DM dance center from the street intersection showing the construction merging with the Queensboro Bridge
Floor plan animations revealing the various levels of the DM performance centerFloor plan animations revealing the various levels of the DM performance centerFloor plan animations revealing the various levels of the DM performance centerFloor plan animations revealing the various levels of the DM performance center
Series of conceptual massing models organizing performance spaces and public paths connecting the DM project to the bridgeSeries of conceptual massing models organizing performance spaces and public paths connecting the DM project to the bridgeSeries of conceptual massing models organizing performance spaces and public paths connecting the DM project to the bridgeSeries of conceptual massing models organizing performance spaces and public paths connecting the DM project to the bridge

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