T D & T Project: Thrust-stage Theatre with an Auditorium Based on Catinary Curves Alex Purves, Woodbridge, Connecticut Alex Purvis received a Bachelor's degree from Yale Archi- tectural School in 1965.During his third yeor he wan the Koppers Architectural Student Design Award and upon graduation was awarded the Medal of the American Institute of Architects and a Winchester Travelling Fellowship. This is his fifth year project. Purvis has worked on scenery design and construction at Exeter Academy and with 0 summer stock company. The student's architectural project is a self-limiting exercise: it is unfettered by the myriad limitations which the first commission brings, it is olso free from the steadying influence of whil~ many minds which must reach accord in professional practice before the doy of dedication. T ~ & T presents Mr. Purvis's project as a stimulating idea in auditorium arrangement withi I his carefully-conceived plan. EDITOR The bui Iding is a theoretical project for a repertory company in Houston, Texas, and contains a thrust stage theatre with a seating capacity of 1200 as well as production facilities for this theatre and two existing theatres on the site operated by the same company. Plan Seating 'Reflected ceiling plans Level C ~L. Directing the movement of a large number of people into and through the building has been the major element in its design. Broad steps opposite the entrance to the Museum of Fine Arts lead up to the entrance of the theatre. To the left they are bordered by the rectangular forms of the Contemporary Arts _ I May 1966 27