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This thesis will focus on the design of a ‘new circus’ building that will be developed from the study of interaction between different user groups within the context of the ‘new circus.’ The premise is that a much richer understanding of the needs of particular users of the space will lead to a more considerate design of the ‘new circus’ building. Understanding the needs of the users of the ‘new circus’ will enhance the experience of the performers and the audience while providing maximum flexibility for the ever-changing needs of the ‘new circus’ art form. The exploration of the terms performance and users as related to the study will lead to an evaluation of the history of the circus upon these terms. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ways members of user groups perceive each other as a group, as well as the ways individuals within a user groups perceive others in their own group. Architecture and the design of interior spaces has inherent to it the power of guiding users experiences through space. The ‘new circus’ building as an
experiential architectural place appends the additional element of theatrical performance to the day-to-day interactions of people in the space. These interactions between people, using all senses: visual, auricular, tactile, and impressional, are not only the premise for the ‘new circus’, but inherent to the architecture of the place. Adding to this mélange the experiential memory of the users concerning not only the architectural place, but also more importantly the memory of the other users - the circus as a place of joy and carefreeness - the circus becomes a mecca of sensory experiences. The research component strives to explore the above raised issues in a challenging interior design that aims to graft the ‘new circus’ building within a neo-
Greco-Roman building that dates from 1912. The research will evaluate existing models and discern from them the concepts and applications and from this establish techniques and methods for activating the architectural space. The design component will manifest in an architecture as expressive and thoughtful as the art performed within its confines. [editor summary]