History of Walt Disney Concert Hall - Case Study Example

of Affiliation Walt Disney concert hall A structure is a physical object that has been built to perform a given role. In design, a structure may be defined as the manner of construction of something and the way different parts are brought together to achieve the desired purpose. The purpose may include, but not limited to, strength, shape, size among many other factors. A visit to Los Angeles would be rendered incomplete if one fails to pay a visit to Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the city’s landmarks and cultural destinations. Whether it is the loftiness of the architectural structure, the serenity of the sound or the beauty of the landscape, Walt Disney Hall has been marked in global map as a premier symbol of Los Angeles. It was designed by Frank Gehry, a Pritzker Prize-winning architect, and serves as part of Music Center’s collection of performing arts venues. The history of Walt Disney Concert Hall dates back in the early 1990s when Gehry came up with the design for the sole purpose of having a cultural concert hall in LA. By mid 1990s, the construction of the building stalled as a result of the projected cost shooting from the initial estimate of $50 million to $265 million. The hall state of the hall is far from just the smooth Douglas fir columns, which offer support to the structure, and the bright stainless steel curves that are some of the striking features of the hall today. Unquestionably, this hall stands out as an iconic building; being one of the most renowned concert hall in the entire globe, credit belonging to a one Mr. Frank Gehry who designed the structure of the building. Having a sleek, machine-like aesthetic in combination with the warm interior woods and floral patterns, the hall has certainly catapulted Los Angeles to the lead destination of cultural events. A glance at Walt Disney Concert Hall would certainly give the observer sufficient reasons to steal several other glances. The architectural designs depicts walls that protrude in different shapes and directions. For instance, there are those section of the hall that have walls that curve into concave shape while other parts have pointed walls. Undoubtedly, the structure is complex and its outward appearance could be likened to some distorted water waves that break in some rhythmic pattern. In structural analysis of a building, unity describes the quality of singleness or being one. Walt Disney Cultural Hall definitely scores high in so far as this quality of design is concerned. The differently shaped walls that protrude in different directions have been harmonized in such a way that they overlap each other to create a state of the art structure. Rhythm also as a quality and principle of design finds enormous application in this particular concert hall. Rhythm in design work refers to some motion impression controlled by the succession of strong and weak element, or rather of elements of different and opposite features. In this building, the walls are protruding into different shapes that can be likened to the physical nature of orchestra sound when it being played. Bearing the goal of being a cultural center from the onset, the designer must have taken keen interest on actually representing the purpose of the building through the physical appearance of the structure. A clear case of this is the undulating and repetitive patterns of pointed and protruding walls that are visible from the exterior end of the building. When musical instruments, more so orchestra is played, sound is generated that is normally represented in form of waves comprising of sharp peaks. One of the popular functions of the building is its use in hosting orchestra music events as well as general entertainment. With this in mind, one can therefore conclude with knife-edge accuracy that the designer wanted to pass this message to the passerby that the building is a cultural center. A walk inside the Walt Disney Cultural Hall evokes a rather sentimental feeling. The columns are relatively large with Douglas fir surrounding them such that they resemble some tree trunk. Even though aesthetically delightful, the columns contain the concealed finishing of the building and deliver both the lighting and air conditioning of hall. The “tree trunks” connects the functions of the hall with the nature and indicates the designers love for natural environment. Furthermore, floral patterns of the fabric as well as flowering motifs are evident throughout the public garden area. In some instances, one may be tempted to assume that the building is some sort of an artificial garden used to take care of the tender natural environment comprising of the flora. However, some bit of research work suggest that it was the idea of Lillian Disney’s, the owner of the idea and the donor of the first $50 million for the project, to have the building depict her love for gardening. Contrary to the cool steel of the Walt Disney Concert Hall that characterize the exterior, the auditorium carries a message of warmth and intimacy more so in the loftiness of the sail-like curves and woods. The Douglas-fir finished wood that make up the walls and the ceiling, and the authentic oak floor gives typical impression of the nature. Understandably, natural environment in a beautiful and lovely place especially if not tampered with by destructive human activities. Most people, if not all, would love to enjoy their moments of relaxation in a place that evokes only the beautiful natural feeling. According to the analysis of the color and décor inside the auditorium, the designer must have had an idea of representing the serene nature of the environment to the audience in the auditorium. This in combination with orchestra music that is played most of the times in the auditorium gives both the visual and audio relaxation. In conclusion, Walt Disney Concert Hall gives a clear illustration how architects employ design principles in conveying message on the purpose of a building. This hall was constructed purposefully as a cultural center and is renowned for being one the premier destination for orchestra music lovers. The exterior appearance is that of pointed steel walls that supposedly represent the waves generated when playing orchestra music. The inside of the building is decorated with woodwork from oak tree and the supports made of Douglas fir clad. All these was to give a relaxed atmosphere that those who attend orchestra music concerts desire. Works Cited Zobelein, Jennifer. Forest of Pipes: The Walt Disney Concert Hall Organ. Los Angeles: Balcony Press, 2007. Print. Cavanaugh, William J, Gregory C. Tocci, and Joseph A. Wilkes. Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Practice. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. Print. . Read More