Planning for the Garrick began in the fall of 2003, at about the same time as the exterior restoration project. The planning process involved the Foundation's own Garrick Theatre Committee and a large and talented consulting team led by Sheppard Case Architects. There were 12 meetings between the Committee and the consultants over several months, and the process was complete by the spring of 2004. The result is an exceptional set of plans (
see representative architectural drawings below) that, if implemented, will produce one of the finest theatrical facilities in the province, housed in a heritage structure that is aesthetically pleasing and contributes to the traditional architectural character of Bonavista's town centre.
The plans followed several guiding principles:
- to produce a high quality theatrical facility that can accommodate both live performance and cinema.
- to retain as much of the Garrick's architectural character as possible.
- to make changes required to bring the facility up to code.
- to construct exterior additions and redesign the interior in a manner that makes the Garrick more appealing for future patrons, but also cost-efficient to operate.
Representative Architectural Drawings
The following plans and drawings are presented in Adobe Acrobat Reader format (PDF).
Code Requirements and Mechanical and Electrical Systems
The code requirements proved especially demanding. There is now a substantial new fire-rated separation between the Garrick and the building to which it is attached, in addition to the fire wall that was already there. The plans call for the building to be completely accessible, including the stage and dressing rooms in the basement, and properly equipped with wheelchair lifts. There is to be a sprinkler system (mechanical drawings not attached here) and an environmentally-friendly ground source heat pump system - that can also supply air conditioning, to provide cost-effective heating in the winter. A new 1000 amp., three phase electrical service housed in the basement will run the building's systems.
Exterior
The two additions were designed to complement the existing architecture. With its copper-covered dome, the northen addition
(see Photo A, below) - constructed to accommodate a production area behind the stage and dressing rooms for performers - reflects the early architectural traditions of Bonavista, where the domed-roof was a common form for public buildings. The domed-roof surmounting the tower of the nearby Orange Hall
(photo B) is a surviving example; however, the Garrick's dome most resembles Cape Bonavista Lighthouse in that it is perfectly round and has windows. The unique aspect of the northern addition is that the shingled, front portion of the facade also curves in line with the dome and the adjacent sidewalk. The rear addition was built around the existing public washrooms to expand both that space and the lobby area.
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Photo A - Northside |
Photo B - Rear |
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Photo C - Original 4 over 4 light windows |
Photo D - Original Colours |
The exterior of the main structure was restored using exact replicas of the original 4 over 4 light windows,
(See Photo C) along with 6" X 3/4" clapboard and 1 1/4" facings, corner boards and frieze boards. The main exterior doors are original, and the exterior sign and light that also make up the new logo for the Garrick are currently in storage and will be reused. The building is painted in its original colours.
(Photo D) All of the exterior work is now complete.
Interior
The interior redevelopment plans call for new architectural features to enhance the modest art-deco elements found in the building. The original curved (semi-circle shaped) doors entering the auditorium have been preserved, and the old wainscoting will be replaced with new mahogany-stained, tongue and groove fir or pine. New mouldings and columns will be added. The
new seats will have a curved-back design more suited to the art-deco period. We will retain the original mahogany-stained doors where possible. The floors are to be linoleum and the period-style light fixtures, brass. The interior paint colours will also hearken back to the 1940s - a muted shade in the auditorium and brighter shades in the lobby area. An acoustics/sound and lighting consultant carefully selected the equipment that would suit this facility, ensuring that both live performance and cinema could be accommodated in the same space without compromising the quality of either. No interior work has been done and the Foundation is seeking financial assistance to undertake a complete interior redevelopment, including required new mechanical and electrical systems and equipment.
The Consulting Team
- Project Architects - Lead Consultants: Sheppard Case Ltd. (Beaton Sheppard, Jim Case)
- Mechancial Engineers: Newton Engineering
- Electrical Engineers: Crosbie Engineering
- Structural Engineers: Design Services Ltd.
- Acoustics/Theatrical Equipment: Petrivision Ltd. (Bob Petrie)
