|
|
Prairie Architects, Inc. |
Search |
Owner: City of Fort Dodge, Iowa Department of Parks, Recreation, and Forests Project Scope: Historic Bandshell -- Concrete Restoration Historic Bandshell -- Adaptive Reuse Architecture Architectural Design of Site Development and Construction Additions |
Karl King Bandshell Oleson Park Fort Dodge, Iowa |
Karl King Bandshell Fort Dodge, Iowa The Karl King Band is Fort Dodge's municipal band. This ensamble provides a summer concert series in the Karl King Bandshell in beautiful Oleson Park and a winter concert series held in the auditorium of Iowa Central Community College. These concerts are free to all, and are provided as a service by the City of Fort Dodge. The Karl L. King Bandshell, located in Oleson Park, Fort Dodge, Iowa, is a rare example of a cast-in-place, reinforced concrete bandshell structure. This building, constructed in 1936 with partial funding from the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA), exhibits the powerful sculptural composition that can be achieved through the forming techniques and plasticity characteristic of cast-in-place concrete construction. Stylistically, the Bandshell would be classified as "Streamline Moderne", a derivative of the International Style influenced by the earlier Art Deco style. Streamline Moderne was a simpler translation of the more decorative Art Deco structures. This is culturally significant as it reflects several aspects of change which were being experienced in our country, especially in the 1930's. The Depression era obviously impacted construction budgets as well as the nation's psyche. Technological advancement, responsible design in light of the economic circumstances, and a general sense of progressive optimism helped to move the spirit of the people out of the devastating Depression Era. It would stand to reason that the construction of a structure such as this WPA project of 1936, and the ideal of the public ceremony which it represented, would be welcomed as genuine encouragement for the community of Fort Dodge. The composition of the Bandshell is based upon the design premise of a simple horizontal plinth which visually receives and supports the bandshell proper. The shell itself is constructed of an 8-inch thick quarter hemisphere which serves as the acoustic reflector. This reflector is banded and supported at its perimeter by a cyclonical arch, vaulting from the floor to form the proscenium opening of the stage. The building's eight-foot high plinth, while simple in concept, is boldly articulated with two battered horizontal bands capping the plinth walls. This element unifies the stage stairs, front fountain, and ground level support areas located at the back of the structure. The bandshell stage itself has a primary performance platform with a front apron that thrusts into the foreground. This platform is backed by two riser levels at the rear perimeter of the shell, forming a stepped configuration which more effectively presents both the musicians ant the musical performance. The foreground of the stage apron is flanked by a linear reflecting pool which is fed just below the apron of the stage by a series of geometrically ornamented scuppers. Throughout the bandshell, discrete patterns and planes are expressed in the concrete structure. Concave scallops, chevron-like wall caps, and folding planes in the wall surfaces are almost imperceptible until viewed close to the building. All of these subtle elements are framed within the pure geometry of the Bandshell's arched vault, achieving a highly sophisticated resolution of composition, form, material, and detail. |
Bandleader Karl King |
Bandshell Architect Henry Kamphoefner |
Prairie Architects, Inc. -- 103 South Third Street -- Fairfield, Iowa 52556 |