Introduction

Spaces for entertainment take a variety of forms.  The barn raisings and corn-shucking parties of the past, along with other distantly remembered rituals and gatherings, provided opportunities for socialization and fun.  Each kind of social event was situated in its own space, which sometimes arouse organically, but in many cases was designed deliberately and carefully.  Socail activities and the spaces that support them have changed tremendously over time; the dance halls of 1950s sock-hops have all but vanished while home entertainment rooms have grown to accomodate the Wii and online gaming in the 2010s.  No matter their age, religion, race or socail class, people always want to have fun when they are free of responsibilities.  The spaces in which they pursue their bliss are well worth examining, as they reflect both how we value these activities and how designers attempt to accommodate activity in the off hours.  Let's go!

This exhibit focuses on spaces for the pastimes of the 20th Century: movie houses and theaters; restaurants; sports fields and venues, amusement parks and playgrounds; and of course, shops and stores.  Off Hours: Environments for Entertainment draws on the rich visual collections of the College of Environmental Design Archives, Visual Resources Center, and Environmental Design Library and includes documents depicting the spaces of entertainment in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as spaces deigned by Northern California architects, landscape architects and city planners.