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Projects:
Blossom Music Center
Summer Home of the Cleveland
Orchestra
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The
program was an outdoor amphitheater for summer performances of the
Cleveland Orchestra and other musical events, sited in a rural, hilly
area midway between the two metropolitan audience bases, Cleveland
and Akron. Based on intensive study of other solutions (Tanglewood,
Ravinia) and taking advantages of the sloping grass “bowl” nested
centrally on the site, the architect designed a singular pavilion
at the base of the bowl to accommodate an audience of 5000 under one
roof.
(Thirteen thousand additional
persons can be seated on the lawn.) The structure is supported by
21 long-span welded steel pipe trusses. The longest trusses span 175
feet and cantilever another 28 feet to provide a covered curved promenade,
sheltering patrons from inclement weather. The roof trusses rest on
a huge inclined arch which bears on two underground footings and is
supported by 10 sloping, double-tapered steel columns outside and
free of the pavilion itself, permitting unobstructed views of the
stage from all seats.
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Ancillary facilities are directly
underneath the stage (locker rooms, storage rooms, rehearsal rooms, and
recording areas) and in a concrete, earth-sheltered structure connected
to the pavilion by a covered passage (music library; areas for the music
director, associates and guest artists; and the green room). This arrangement
provides for privacy, sound insulation, and ease of access. It also permits
the “hall” to be expressed as a strong, clear shape.
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At present,
the grounds provide parking for 4000+ cars as well as for buses.
Adjacent to the main entrance are the box offices, administrative
facilities, gift shop, and an intimate art gallery for temporary
exhibits. The center also includes a covered open-air restaurant,
picnic shelters, concession areas and restrooms, conveniently accessed
via curving pedestrian paths which also accommodate motorized trams.
These areas are adjacent to the pavilion, but sufficiently removed
so as not to disrupt performances. The buildings are vernacular
in design, blending weathered natural cedar into the green backdrop
of the landscape.
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Location:
Northampton Township, Ohio
Firm’s Responsibility: Architecture: 100%
Area: 800 acres
Construction Cost: $6,700,000
Completion Date: 1969
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