The Design of Audience Spaces with Predetermined Visibility Performance

This article discusses the parameters necessary for the proper design of theater audience seating. A quantitative “figure of merit” (probability of viewing) is put forth for a proposed design, with the aim of viewing a specific critical point on the stage. The floor heights of the rows can be calculated using anthropometric data for seated adults and a probabilistic model. A designer can customize the shape of the room to meet size constraints or to favor some part of the audience by establishing a contour with a selected probability of viewing for each seat, or by adjusting the viewing probability for each row or group of rows.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

1985-05

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J07962