Rachel Schultz
With a love for arts and culture, Rachel has always had a deep interest in spatial designs that connect communities, inspire individuals and provide unforgettable experiences from the very exterior shell, to the interior core. Her thesis project, The Fourth Wall derives from the concept of the dinner theatre in which hospitality and performing arts merge into a singular space. Through scholarly research, she noted the importance of encouraging the existence of these spaces due to their ability to create a sustainable business practice, encourage social interaction and user experience, and enhance cultural opportunities for the local community. Rachel’s passion for arts and culture and hospitality design allowed for an innovative exploration of this revitalized dinner and a show concept located at 21 Ossington Avenue in Toronto.
Project Overview
Welcome to The Fourth Wall, where dining and the diversity of the performing arts come together for a multitude of unforgettable experiences, with the intention to re-vitalize the concept of dinner theatre or “dinner and a show”.
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The conceptual process focuses on how architectural and design elements can create a slow "reveal" in the space as guests uncover their experiences
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"Revealing" can occur through elements and forms in the built environment
Concept/Design Process
The Fourth Wall focuses on the concept of reveal. In the way the curtain reveals the excitement of what appears on the stage, guests will enter The Fourth Wall and effortlessly move through this venue revealing a multitude of experiences through architectural and design elements that maintain design language and connect each space visually and physically.
Site Plan/Floor Plan(s)
21 Ossington Avenue was the chosen location for this space due to a number of different factors including its diverse demographic and population, a steadily growing neighbourhood, an abundance of transportation, a bustling nightlife and support for arts and culture to accomodate locals and tourists alike. The spatial layout for The Fourth Wall at 21 Ossington is primarily focused around the multitude of experiences that this venue offers and how the users will move through each one. The first experience starts on the exterior and encourages guests to enter the building from Rebecca Street and into the interior where more unforgettable experiences occur.
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An isometric view of the building and surrounding streets
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The main and second floor plans showing the spatial layout and its experiences
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Welcome to the entry of The Fourth Wall. In this space, architectural and design elements reveal glimpses into the theatre and dining space experiences.
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The main floor bar offers a space for the community to interact with one another and to add an extra layer to the "dinner theatre" experience.
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The theatre is intended to offer diverse programming to allow for a multitude of experience and to support a broad diversity of voices in one setting. This includes the introduction of digital technologies such as LED screens for light mapping and scenery. This space is intended to evolve and adapt to reinvent the dinner theatre concept.
3D Views
The 3D views into the space highlight some of the main experiences offered at The Fourth Wall. Through these, the slow reveal of the space is shown through the architectural and design elements in addition to the soft material palette, acoustics and lighting selections.
Video/Poster
