THE TERZETTO PERFORMANCE CENTER

The Terzetto is designed through the organization and use of materials to bring forth an experience in a way that highlights and interacts the aspects and characteristics that make Redlands the city it is. Terzetto is an Italian word meaning “a musical composition for three voices.” This name was chosen for this performance center as the project represents the three aspects of Redlands in theater form. These aspects include History, Nature, and Art. By isolating each of these aspects into the design by separating the theaters into their own buildings, each feature has an individual focus and specific purpose.

The Outdoor Amphitheater is designed to emphasize the history of Redlands with the use of brick as the primary material. Brick in Redlands is common and seen on many of the existing historical buildings, which have had a significant role and element in making Redlands a distinct city. This part of the project highlights the history and beginnings of theater in Redlands by using the amphitheater design. The emphasis of this aspect, with the use of materiality and the theater type, creates a sense of familiarity in Redlands and allows for people to see and experience the history of theater in Redlands. Outdoor amphitheaters have been the basis of theaters in Redlands in the past, and this portion of the project emphasizes this aspect of the history of Redlands.

The Proscenium is intended to highlight the nature of Redlands. The use of rammed earth with the soil from Redlands creates a red-colored layered effect and connects the site to the heart of the city. This part of the project uses a mountain landscape through the rammed earth to reflect the mountain backdrop of the city. The mountain range is even more emphasized in the grand staircase to create a peaking journey where at the top, one can look out to the mountain range in the distance. Just as the mountains are great and magnificent forms, the interior of the proscenium theater is also stunning with its wood interior and angled wall panels. The theater creates a sense of phenomenon where one feels engulfed in pointed forms, just like a mountain landscape. Here the aspect of nature is highlighted to its full extent.

The Black Box is created to emphasize the art of Redlands. Art is an essential part of the city and is considered to enrich lives and promote a vibrant society by inspiring creativity and nurturing individual expression. This part of the project does exactly that with the unique wood skin that creates a changing view as one walks around and through the gallery. Blocking and opening one’s view into the gallery space creates an interest and awe-inspiring experience throughout the building. Just as art is meant to be creative, new, unique, and explored, the black box simulates the same experience and feeling of innovation where anything can be done and performed within this theater. Here the black box emphasizes the idea and aspect of art in its most creative and flexible way possible.

Although Redlands isn’t these three aspects individually, it is all three combined together. Here the project creates a convergence of the three through the use of wood materiality in all three to connect them to the project. The site is designed in a way to filter and causes people to travel to the center courtyard area before going to the theaters. This funneling and descending sensation allows for a person to begin their journey at the bottom, where from there, they can begin their ascending journey up and outward to the theaters. In the center courtyard, a person experiences the interaction of the three parts of the project through the colored concrete of each floor. The different colored concrete of the three interact and converge with each other, which can be seen and experienced by moving through the site. The center area steps down into a central point and is centered by an orange tree. Here one can see and experience Redlands and theater through the convergence of History, Nature, and Art.