Ballet barre

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Specifications Discussions #3
1

Well, it took 17 years. And I need to specify a ballet barre for the 1st time.
Does anyone have some quick tips, such as barre profile (in cross-section), wood species, brackets, wall clearance & mounting heights?
The project is a private K-8 school. Due to the range of sizes & heights of the dancers, I think I should recommend to our designer that we provide two parallel barres, mounted at appropriate heights.
I’ve checked AWI Standards (nothing), and my “last resort” Graphic Standard (again, nothing). Any other suggestions for resources?

2

DO A YAHOO SEARCH FOR “BALLET BARRES” AND YOU’LL FIND A RAFT OF INFORMATION-- TYPES, SIZES, COSTS, MOUNTING HEIGHTS. BRACKETS, ETC. [AND ALL ON THE FIRST PAGE OF LISTINGS]

3

Not from my professional experience but my mother experience I would recommend specifying an adjustable barre vs. having two because depending on the student and exercise the second one will be distracting. I have seen a number of them in the studios where the attachments are recessed into the wall and the adjustments are such that a Kindergartener can move them by themselves.

4

Thanks, Ralph…one of the most obvious places to look! Duh, this new-fangled internet thing…!

5

Here’s what I wound up with for a fine arts building at a university: Gibson floor mounted adjustable ballet bars (wood rail) by Gibson Gymnastics (800) 275-5999. Other Acceptable Manufacturer: Marley. This was a couple of years ago, but I remember that the wall mounted adjustable was perceived as not stable enough.

6

I was involved with a theater project that had some ballet barres. The question came up regarding the structural strength. When I looked into it the capacity of the wood barre came no way near to code specified handrail loads. The theater consultant swore that this was the standard barre used.

We could find no technical criteria for the design of a ballet barre so we decided to ignore the issue and they built it like all of the other barres.

I would be interested if anybody is aware of any technical criteria for the structural design of a ballet barre.

7

Mark,

I have a section for ballet barres if you are interested. I developed it for a large high school, listing several options. We may have more than one type. If you think this may be beneficial send me a note: kcrocco@architechspec.com

8

I’m sorry, it must be the april snowfall in the midwest that blocks my ability to read:

I believe the offer for a section on ballet barres should have been directed to Amy. but anyone interested, just send a note: kcrocco@architechspec.com