The Fountainhead
Liverpool Jazz Club
Liverpool was named the European Capital of culture in 2008, with a rich history of music and art spanning centuries. To pay homage we were tasked with designing a music hub in the centre, specifically tailored to jazz. With the genre being primarly underground and grass roots the stage would be placed at basement level, with expanding floors stacked on top, each detailed with a semi pourous wave cladding to mimic musical notes.
Massing
Research
The site was within a busy, built up street of terraced buildings, which meant the proper analysis was essential to understanding how to approach it with care. Understanding the flow of cars and people around the site could help better identify the main entrance points as well as the key views, pedestrians in fact cross through the site so leaving part of it open did not block off this public footpath. The environment had to be studied to determine best angles for solar gains, as well as opportunites for prevailing winds to ventilate the space.
Sound tunnel
The multi-level structure is designed in a way to maximise not only user intergration but environmental capabilities. The atrium puncturing the centre of the building allows for stack ventilation, with cool air coming through the windows then hot air rising upwards and outwards through the roof vents. This atrium also functions as a way for people on every floor being able to hear and be a part of the performance happening below, if they choose so.
Wrap up
The overall aim of the project was to create something that would become intergrated into the city culture and act as a place for people to congregate to enjoy music. My approach fulfilled this by creating a building where every level is connected, not only to the music but to eachother, with dual circulation and branching walkways. The multiple floors offer many different services from teaching to practice rooms to accomodation, becoming a useful staple for the cultural heart of the Liverpool city centre.
South Elevation
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