Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1526889
5 0 P E R S P E C T I V E | S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 2 4 seamlessly integrate the boat into a controlled environment, ensuring the actors could perform safely in the water. The Road House The Road House, pivotal to the movie's title and setting, was the jewel of the film and called for something unique and interesting that would evoke a classic, almost lost in time, Howard Johnson's side-of-the road Route 66 vibe. Initially considering a mid-century modern design, my exploration of bars along the Overseas Highway revealed a prevalent Polynesian tiki style. With Doug seeking a distinctive look, I was inspired by the imposing, vertical structure of historic Polynesian longhouses. The concept of a thatched- roof, open-air building combined with mid- century modern details formed the foundation for the creating the Road House. In SketchUp, I experimented with size and scale, integrating design elements to define the entrance and segment the bar into two subtly different levels. The upper level features the main bar, a seating area and a couple of pool tables. The lower level includes a caged stage for live bands and a central area for seating and dancing. I strategically positioned the building at a slight angle nosing out to the ocean to enhance its cinematic presence and highlight the A-frame structure. Through iterative adjustments and a full-scale layout that used story poles and cones to mark key points, we refined the overall dimensions. This setup allowed me to guide Doug through the spatial layout and visually present the design concepts through detailed illustrations. As the Art Department finalized the design of the building, we needed to integrate it into the overall site plan. Like the Hurricane Street project along the Overseas Highway, the Road House required A. ROAD HOUSE EXTERIOR. ILLUSTRATION. B. ROAD HOUSE INTERIOR. SET PHOTO. C. ROAD HOUSE UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SET PHOTO. D. ROAD HOUSE SIGN. SET PHOTO. E. ROAD HOUSE INTERIOR. SET PHOTO. A B