Jedidiah Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Architecture

Dorton Arena in Architectural Record

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Raleigh’s Dorton Arena is part of the cover story focus in this month’s Architectural Record.  The issue focuses on the engineering aspect of architecture and illustrates a handful of projects that served as precedents in this field. 

from the article:

Midcentury masters

“Those Modern structural design engineers engaged the next generation, who by the 1950s and 1960s inserted themselves into larger consultancy roles for new building typologies, such as massive skyscraper projects. For example, Frederick Severud, with architect Matthew Nowicki, made possible the design of the suspended roof of the Raleigh Arena in North Carolina (1952). With its unique saddle shape, it fast became a pilgrimage stop for engineers Frank Newby, Ted Happold, and Frei Otto on their first visits to the U.S. in the early 1950s. Severud’s ability to free structure to express the potentials of nonlinear space, breaking away from the rigid grid, also inspired Eero Saarinen’s concrete shell for Ingalls Rink in New Haven (1956–59).”

Full Architectural Record Article

More info on Dorton HERE and HERE

Construction photos and more HERE

Also in this issue of Arch. Record is a review of Victoria Ballard Bell’s new book Materials for Design.  Victoria is the wife of local architect and former NC State Design School Professor Bryan Bell who runs community design build Design Corps

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  • David08/15 11:49 PM

    I love the modesty of the scale of the building.  It has such a grounded solid look. and at 25,00 square feet- its barely bigger than a small block of McMansions. My father said he saw Led Zepplin at Dorton- seems like such an appropriate venue and I wonder why they don’t do shows there any more.

  • formotion08/16 07:32 AM

    I saw an indoor football game there a couple of years ago so I could see the interior of the building.  The kickers for both teams kept hitting the ceiling when kicking the ball off after touchdowns.  I found it comical.

    They do still do shows there, they just aren’t shows we would attend:  http://www.ncstatefair.org/2007a/Entertainment/dorton.htm

  • erin08/16 07:39 AM

    it was originally designed for showing things (like prize-winning cattle!), not listening.  so the acoustics are not so great.  but it cant be any worse than some of the music venues around town!

  • Timnasium08/16 08:00 AM

    Long live the Cow Palace!
    What it lacks in acoustics is totally made up for with roller girls.

  • RaleighRob08/16 09:29 AM

    Yeah the acoustics in Dorton are awful for music...it’s like a loud echo you can’t get rid of.  The Triangle certainly has better venues for music: RBC Center, Walnut Creek, Memorial Auditorium/Progress Energy Center, Fletcher Auditorium, and the coming-soon Performing Arts Theatre in downtown Durham. 

    But for Rollergirls?  Perfect venue for sure.  And didn’t a minor-league basketball team play there once?  I can’t recall.

  • David08/16 10:00 AM

    Cheeze guys, I get all romantic about Zepplin and seeing some indy shows in a classic venue, and you guys get all realist with me.  I guess I will have to see some roller girls sometime.

  • anonymous09/06 01:24 PM

    I haven’t seen the roller girls but I have climbed that long ramp to the roof!  I recommend it as an architectural destination.

  • Timmy11/08 10:19 AM

    Audience bootleg of Led Zeppelin at Dorton arena on April 6, 1970.

    http://www.sendspace.com/file/qff3w1

    Mis-identified as April 7th, but they played Charlotte on the 7th.

    Kiss played there on November 27, 1976.

  • David11/08 10:51 AM

    Thanks so much Timmy! I will love to have this.

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