Scenario
The students rush from all directions, and a number of pedestrians anxiously emerge from the street. Everyone enters the auditorium at a less-than-walking speed, and then take their seats. The eyes are mainly focused on a large projected image of a street. It is hard to tell what is there, but the information is bare enough that it seems to show the motion of the cars and the people walking. The rain in the image is a reminder of the street, and brings warmth to the room. Some of the visitors are unaware of the big topic of the day, and they never asked because they want to be perplexed and surprised. For others, they know because they were part of it, as they were assigned to explore the city street life in their term project. This is a good time to discuss the latest news, or say a few words and laugh, before the show is on. The moment arrives too soon, when one student breaks in, and walks to the front of the crowd, his walking is fast and suggests that he is about to announce something. A scratch on the microphone, the space becomes silent in exactly two seconds. The announcer makes two introductory words, and then pauses. Now, the show has officially started, everyone is anxious to look and listen. He sends a few thankful words to the staff, the students and the visitors. Then he begins to describe the process of filmmaking. For the older students, this seems like a refreshing of the memory, and a reminder of their goals and their dedication and their passion. For the younger students, the space is becoming energetic and unforgettable. The announcer now begins to describe the effort that was put into this, from class to the screen, day after day of film processing, editing, compromising and making decisions. It is a non-ending process that involves continuous learning, and extends into real life after graduation. Hours of learning inside the classes are followed by tens of hours of experimentation and shooting scenes, and finally putting things together in the editing suites, which have evolved into a meeting place for students to work and get advice from senior students and teachers.
(Lights are dimmed)
Visitors look up and are able to see the rays of light cutting through the air, when suddenly the light starts to move. The show has begun.
Program
The total number of students will be 120, and the distribution among the three years of study required by the teaching departments will emphasize larger classes for freshman years, and smaller groups for the more-specialized disciplines in the higher years. At the completion of study, the degree awarded will be a Bachelor in Fine Arts, with possible continuation to a Masters Degree in other schools like Concordia's Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema. The preliminary program for the filming school will include:
Floor Area: Classifications: Minimum Floor Areas for Building Code Purposes
(sq.m. per person)Area
(sq.m.)Offices & Administration Group D 9.30 80 Library
Group A2 1.85 for reading rooms 300 Books and Video Store Group E 9.30 100 Screening room
The exact size depends on the design intentions, but would be between 50 to 200 seats. The room would be an auditorium equipped with projection systems (16mm, 35mm, digital) and Dolby Surround.
Group A1 n/a Depending on design intentions. Classrooms
Group A2 1.85 320 Editing Suites & Labs
Group D 4.60 50 Students Club
Group A2 0.95 for non-fixed seats & tables.
1.85 for lounges50 Canteen
Group A2 1.20 50 Studio & Fitness Room for Body Movement Courses
Group A2 TBD 50 Storage Rooms Group F3 46.00 30 Custodial Storage Rooms Group F3 4.60 8 Students & Staff Parking Group F3 46.00 TBD The major occupancy of the building is A2. The type of construction will most probably be noncombustible material since the building height may exceed two storeys and thus be limited by article 3.2.2.24 of the Building Code.