Occupant Evaluation Research to Inform Performance Arts Environment Design
- lynnhsu95
- Feb 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 24
Chun-Ling Hsu (Vanya), HGA, December 2024
Project Overview
This report details the post-design research of the HGA project by Chun-Ling Hsu (Vanya) and other Design Insight Group team members in 2024. HGA is a national interdisciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering. Working in teams to bring insights and engage collaboratively with clients to facilitate discovery, research hypotheses, and advocate for meaningful change.
Executive Summary
A post-occupancy evaluation through a mixed-method approach showed that the performance art center successfully supports diverse performance and cultural engagement.
To inform the design for current and future use, the study further investigated space usage, impact, functionality and more.
Background
Extending along the public face of the campus, the Performing Arts Center establishes a strong visual identity and grand entry for the school and district.
The PAC supports its host campus and the district, which amplifies opportunities for diverse students to cultivate their talents while creating a vibrant social and cultural platform for the surrounding community.
The primary space is a state-of-the-art 750-seat auditorium that features an electronic acoustic system configured to support a range of performances and assemblies intentionally.
The space allows for seamless transitions from intimate lectures to billowing orchestral productions. The performance and rehearsal spaces open to a shared courtyard, interweaving the existing fabric of the larger campus and taking advantage of the temperate climate while creating flexible spaces for informal gatherings and improvisational
performance.
Project Goal
Supporting holistic design approach and evidence-based design in discovering insight into informed design solutions
The aim of this study was to determine if design solutions met the design intent and document the impact of the performing arts center on the school, the specific district, partners, and the broader community.
Project Approach
Post-occupancy evaluation using mixed-methods research to continuously learn about the efficacy of design solutions and provides a mechanism for feedback from building occupants
For this study, conducted in the spring of 2024, a mixed-methods approach that leverages both quantitative and qualitative data-gathering tools was used to explain and verify insights across multiple sources of data, a strategy known as triangulation. The research questions were developed in response to the project vision, centered around creating an inspiring space for students to explore their creativity, an active hub for cultural engagement and interaction between various types of people, all while providing a functional and supportive artistic environment.
Project activities included:
Online interview was used to capture different group of users and type of activities in the space
Facility walkthrough interview was used to understand the details of space usage, traffic flow, challenges and feedback from the leadership and facility users
A following online survey was conducted to collect user experience data
Structure focused on responses about specific facility spaces. The analysis compared the experiences of unique respondent groups (students, teachers, renters, and technical staff). Quantitative results from groups of unequal sizes were supplemented using qualitative data to draw conclusions across all types of occupants.
Insights and Recommendations
Study results found that the performance art center was used by a variety of groups.
Some key insights included:
Flexible and creative design solutions through layout and acoustic functionality for multiple user groups and performance arts
The art center positively impacted user experience. 82% of the respondents agreed the space encourages participation in performing arts
Auditorium stood out as the primary space for performance and audience, with 82% of the respondents highlighting the acoustic enhancement.
Functional design supported user needs, details laid out as the wayfinding and access, amenities, on-stage off-stage experience, safety and security, and more.
Young student users in performance art spaces require more attention to materials, furniture, safety, and security aspects.
Project Outcome
Access occupant experience, satisfaction and building use for future projects with similar objectives
This study verified the design interventions for flexibility and functionality in this type of performance art center, captured opportunities for improvement in the design, and integrated the physical attributes and operational aspects.
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