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Circulation Pattern and Seating Arrangement in Planetarium
Article · June 2021
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International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Circulation Pattern and Seating Arrangement in Planetarium
Author1 – Pragati Dubey
Author2 – Dr. Parag Govardhan Narkhede
1. Student of Fourth Year B. Arch, BKPSCOA, Pune.
2. Professor at BKPSCOA, Pune.
Abstract:
The planetarium is not merely a tool for the acquisition of astronomical knowledge in schools; it is also a
valuable medium for raising our awareness and respect of the eternally blue earth by deepening our
understanding of the planet. The planetarium can also provide an escape from the stress of everyday life.
Finally, the planetarium functions as an information centre where people have access to the latest news of
current scientific happenings. Above all, the planetarium benefits the human mind and spirit. It can give great
power to the imagination and stimulate creativity in children, the future of our society. In this way, constructing
a planetarium brings countless awards. When education of prime importance but also the user experience
matters on the end, then it becomes the prime duty of the designer to design the planetarium in such a way that
the purpose is fulfilled but also at the same time , the user experience is fulfilled. The paper concentrates on the
analysis of the primary case studies of circulation pattern and seating arrangements in the buildings studied.
This paper discusses the importance of circulation pattern in planetarium by considering various factors like
seating pattern, the height of the riser, the location of entry and exits. This paper will help the designers to
design the planetarium with minimal wastage of space and also help the designers to design a better space with
the appropriate circulation pattern. This paper aims at obtaining an optimum and appropriate seating
arrangement in planetarium building. User comfort should be of prime importance. The user experience is of
prime importance leading to better circulation patterns.
Introduction:The term planetarium may also refer to an institution in which such a theatre
functions as the principal teaching arrangement or to the specialized projector
employed. Planetarium is applied in yet another sense to describe computer software or
Internet sites that allow the user to simulate views of the night sky and various celestial
[Link] planetarium installations vary greatly. Those within a large supporting
institution may coexist with extensive exhibit space and museum collections and have sizable
professional and support staffs. Their projection theatres can be 25 metres (82 feet) or more
in diameter and have capacities in excess of 600 persons. On the other hand, community or
local college planetariums may accommodate only small groups of people. In a separate class
are portable planetariums comprisinginflatable domes and lightweight projectors that can be
set up at schools and can hold several dozen students at a time.A dominant feature of most
planetaria is the large dome-shaped projectionscreen onto which scenes of stars, planets, and
other celestialobjects can be made to appear and move realistically to simulate the complex
'motions of the heavens'. The celestial scenes can be created using a wide variety of
technologies
Objectives:The main objective of the paper is to study the importance of circulation pattern
and seating arrangement in planetarium alongwith the different factors for good circulation
like location of entry and exit(number and orientation), pause points , vertical circulation
arrangement(staircase, lift, ramps etc), visibility of entrance, riser height, width of door.
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 404
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Methodology:
The methodology includes:
• live case studies of planetariums
• observation of circulation pattern in planetarium
• entry and exit points
• arrangement of seats
• book case studies
• information from internet
Analysis and Inferences:
Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai
Introduction: This planetarium was commissioned on 3rd March 1977. The building is
designed by one of India's most prominent architect J.M. Kadri. The simplistic architecture
makes a proud statement to the timelessness of the late 70s style of architecture. The
planetarium also serves as a center of logical study for students and amateur scientists of
astronomy and space science.
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 405
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Observations and inferences:
On Planetarium Complex:
• the capacity of the planetarium is of 500 seats
• there are five entry points and five exit points to the sky theatre but only one is
opened for the public
• circular type of seating arrangement is provided
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 406
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
• after a point user becomes uncomfortable on the seat(around after 20 minutes)some of
the seats are not in proper working condition(i.e. they do not recline to the required
angle)
• one cannot enter the sky theatre directly as one reaches on the 1st floor, though the
entry to the theatre is nearer to the staircase
staircase, one has to walk and see all the
installation displays , models on the 1st floor and then reach the entry to the sky
theatre
• the dome is 22.86 m in diameter
• no pause points provided
• no seating
ng provided on the first floor in the display(model, installation, etc) area
• ramp is provided on the other side and not along with staircase on the entrance
• lift and staircase are far apart
• the entry and exit door are 2 m wide and 2.1 m high
SMC Science Centre, Surat
Introduction: This is a winning competition entry by HCP which is a complex of three
buildings- a science centre, a museum and an art gallery structured around a courtyard.
court The
science centre accommodates exhibition areas, a restaurant and a cafeteria and a 250 seat
auditorium. A 16 m diameter steel sphere houses the planetarium, which can also be used for
wide projections and other enhanced multimedia shows. It can seat approximately 150
viewers.
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 407
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 408
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 409
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
ENLARGED SECTION
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 410
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
Observations and inferences:
On main building:
• the main building is a G+3 structure
• the building is divided in three areas in plan:
2 1 3
• 1- main building
• 2- planetarium area
• 3- souvenir shop and cafeteria
• also, it is divided in three areain section as well
• above the entrance foyer, sits the exhibition area
• the planetarium area is a whole chunk throughout
• above the souvenir shop and cafeteria, sits the area for children and above that the
auditorium
• the circulation is very simple and every area has its service core
• the service core consists of staircase, lift and ramp.
About the planetarium:
• the planetarium is spherical in form and consumes G+3 part of the main building
• the planetarium has its entrance on first floor
• a prefunction space is provided in front of the planetarium with seatings and drinking
water facility
• only one entry point and one exit point is provided
• the capacity of the planetarium is of 140 seats
• tiered type of seating with viewing dome is provided inside the planetarium, the seats
are comfortable and in proper working condition, one does not feel uncomfortable on
the seats throughout the show
• the tread is of 600 mm, the riser is of 150 mm
• the height of the entry door is 2.1 m and is 1.2 m wide and so is the case with exit
door, the projecting dome is 16 m in diameter
About the circulation:
One can come from lift/staircase/ ramp and reach the foyer as all of them open up into the
foyer and then can proceed towards the planetarium
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 411
Parameters
International Journal CaseTechnology
of Management, 1 Case
And 2
Engineering Remark/ Remark/ISSN NO : 2249-7455
inference for inference
case 1
for case 2
Proximity to lift Less More Lift is far away. Lift is provided
along with the
staircase and
ramp.
Location of 1st floor Separate part Might be due Might be due
planetarium of the main to space to the space
building restriction and availability/
there is nothing concept.
above first
floor.
Zoning Floorwise Sectionwise Might be due Might be due
to space to space
restriction. availability/con
cept.
Parameters Case 1 Case 2 Remark for CASE 1 Remark for CASE 2
Width of entry/exit door 2.4 m 1.5m It may have been done so It is a newly built
as to manage more planetarium and caters to
volume of visitors a smaller volume of
visitors.
Comfort Less comfortable More comfortable It is so because the chairs The chairs are comfortable
don’t recline to the and recline to the required
required angle and it is angle.
because the planetarium is
old.
Pre function space No Yes The prefunction space is It serves as an assembly
used for the installations point for the visitors.
Seating space No Yes There is no space left to Seating space provided in
provide seating area as the the prefunction space so
installations are kept in as to allow the visitors to
that area. sit before the show.
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 412
InternationalParameters
Journal of Management,
Case 1 Technology And Engineering
Case 2 Rema rk/ inference fo r ISSN foNO
Rema rk/ inference r : 2249-7455
ca se 1 ca se 2
Proximity to lift Less Mo re Lift is far away. Lift is prov ided along with
the staircase and ramp.
Locatio n of planetarium 1st flo or Separate part of the main Might be d ue to sp ace Might be d ue to the space
build ing res trictio n and there is availability/ concept.
nothing abo ve first floo r.
Zoning Floorwise Sectionwise Might be d ue to sp ace Might be d ue to sp ace
res trictio n. availability/concept.
Findings and Conclusion:
The location of the planetarium should be such that it should have the proximity to bus
stands, auto rickshaw stands. The building should be designed keeping in mind the user of all
age groups and also the users who belong to the differently abled category. Proper siting of
the buildings should be done by considering all the factors including neighbourhood. A
foreground could be provided which can give an identity to the planetarium and also would
help the user to perceive the building and appreciate it. The entrance should be well designed
keeping in mind the users of all age groups and differently abled users. Proper seating areas
should be provided at strategic locations in the entrance lobby. The seating area could be
provided with an exterior view or facing a courtyard so as to allow natural light and
ventilation in the seating area and it also refreshes the user's mind. Seating area should be
provided for the visitors who come early. The service core should be placed at a location
central to all areas and should include a means for all the users(i.e. staircase, lifts, ramps). It
should be accessible from inside the building and not from outside the building. It should be
easily reachable and way finding shouldn't be an obstruction. Proper zoning of the spaces
should be done for proper circulation. The entrance to the sky theatre should be visible and
easily accessible. Adequate number of entry and exits should be provided to cater to the
Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 413
International Journal of Management, Technology And Engineering ISSN NO : 2249-7455
crowd inside the sky theatre. Way finding to the entry point and from the exit point should be
easy and should not be an obstruction. This could be done by correct placement of the entry
and exit points and also by providing signages in addition. The circulation pattern inside the
sky theatre should be universally accessible. The type of seating(i.e. plane seating or tiered
seating) should be decided keeping in mind all the factors and conditions with the number of
users being the most important factor. the seats provided in the sky theatre should be
comfortable and in proper working condition. They should be placed at the required angle.
The sky theatre should be properly designed with all the calculations and considerations. The
dome should be at a proper height. The sky theatre could be designed for a multipurpose
use(i.e. it could also be used to deliver some lecture or to some seminar or discussion
References:
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Volume XI, Issue VI, JUNE/2021 Page No: 414
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