This third year project brief was to design a New Zealand Music school within Wellington city centre. There was a clear outline of spatial requirements and limited site space and height. This challenged the importance of space vs design intent and which was to take priority.

 

 

The design displays three layers of importance within the design: Roof panels, structure, facade. 

The shape and orientation of the roof panels reflect the shape of an orchestral arrangement. The architectural design is focused around the central courtyard which becomes the most important feature and gathering point of the students. This also reflects the idea that the conductor (who is positioned at the centre of the orchestra) is the director and most important figure. 

 

The conductor is the only one that sees every single instrument and how they work. Similarly the facade of the building that faces into the courtyard is glass. This allows for complete transparency and the inner-workings of the building to be seen. 

 

The elevations show the various sizes of the roof panels. These change sizes depending on the importance of the programme of each space. 

 

The roof becomes the outstanding feature of the music school design. The exterior of the building is clad in a charcoal zinc. This reflects the concept of the conductor (courtyard) being the only one that can see and understand how the orchestra (the rest of the building) works and runs. The exterior has minimal windows which provides a seamless mysterious appearance.