Spectacle Reframed: Transforming the Drive-In Theater into a Social Landscape
Disciplines
Architecture
Abstract (300 words maximum)
About half of all Americans live in what they would describe as a suburb, and for many of them their car is considered an extension of their home. People laugh, cry, sing, and even have sex — all from the comfort of their cars. This prolific car culture has dominated America since the economic boom of the post war era, and our built environment reflects that part of our identity. An important invention that came from the extensive ownership of cars was the drive-in movie theater. During the mid twentieth century, several typologies centered around the car were developed under the term “roadside architecture” to fit the needs of the early automobile age such as gas stations, drive-thru restaurants, and motels. Other typologies such as campgrounds were also made more popular thanks to the widespread adoption of cars in America.
Unfortunately, even though with time cars have only become more popular within the country, the same cannot be said for certain types of roadside architecture. Drive-in theaters specifically have taken a huge decline in popularity amongst Americans. Suburbanites used to find enjoyment in one of the over 4,000 locations across the country during its prime, but now that number has dwindled down to less than 400. Despite their crippling popularity, the legacy of drive-in theaters can serve to be adapted for the modern era of American entertainment. The conception of a drive-in can inform how a new experience can be designed through the use of a car, beyond just the film.
This project examines the question of what the cinematic experience is, and what that looks like while driving through space. This analysis will draw from and build upon architects like Bernard Tschumi and his influence under the avant-garde cinematographer Sergei Eisenstein as well as Guy Debord and his work alongside Constante Nieuwenhuys to design a curated space for the driving experience.
Use of AI Disclaimer
no
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CACM – Architecture
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Ehsan Sheikholharam Mashhadi
Spectacle Reframed: Transforming the Drive-In Theater into a Social Landscape
About half of all Americans live in what they would describe as a suburb, and for many of them their car is considered an extension of their home. People laugh, cry, sing, and even have sex — all from the comfort of their cars. This prolific car culture has dominated America since the economic boom of the post war era, and our built environment reflects that part of our identity. An important invention that came from the extensive ownership of cars was the drive-in movie theater. During the mid twentieth century, several typologies centered around the car were developed under the term “roadside architecture” to fit the needs of the early automobile age such as gas stations, drive-thru restaurants, and motels. Other typologies such as campgrounds were also made more popular thanks to the widespread adoption of cars in America.
Unfortunately, even though with time cars have only become more popular within the country, the same cannot be said for certain types of roadside architecture. Drive-in theaters specifically have taken a huge decline in popularity amongst Americans. Suburbanites used to find enjoyment in one of the over 4,000 locations across the country during its prime, but now that number has dwindled down to less than 400. Despite their crippling popularity, the legacy of drive-in theaters can serve to be adapted for the modern era of American entertainment. The conception of a drive-in can inform how a new experience can be designed through the use of a car, beyond just the film.
This project examines the question of what the cinematic experience is, and what that looks like while driving through space. This analysis will draw from and build upon architects like Bernard Tschumi and his influence under the avant-garde cinematographer Sergei Eisenstein as well as Guy Debord and his work alongside Constante Nieuwenhuys to design a curated space for the driving experience.