Spectator seating

Abstract

This thesis investigates a problem common to many building types--the problem of accommodating audiences gathered for the purpose of viewing an event. It is not an attempt to design a specific facility to accommodate a particular type of event and audience but, instead, an attempt to define criteria applicable to a wide range of spectator seating problems and to establish methods of utilizing these criteria to generate solutions to specific design problems.

By definition, a spectator is one who looks on or beholds, especially one witnessing an exhibition.

Briefly stated, the problem consists of providing the best fit between the spectators and the spectacle being viewed. The author contends that all of the elements of this problem (spectator, spectacle, and any resultant fit) are easily quantified and hence subject to computer simulation and solution.

The primary purpose of this thesis is to investigate the characteristics of spectators and spectacles, establish design criteria based on these investigations, and utilize these criteria to write a computer program capable of generating and evaluating solutions to spectator seating problems.

The body of this thesis is divided into three parts. The first (Chapter II, The Spectator) analyzes some physiological characteristics. The second (Chapter III, The Spectacle) investigates the geometrical characteristics of spectacles and their effect on audience configuration. The third (Chapter IV, Computerized Seating Design) describes a computer program which generates and evaluates single-tier seating solutions for arena-type events.