When a site directly across the organization’s headquarters went on the market, an opportunity was presented to relocate the music school to this site. UQ was asked to assist in testing the feasibility of acquiring and developing this new building as a part of a larger set of studies for Greenwich House.

UQ developed a series of programming studies of the existing music school with a menu of possible renovations and new construction options. Since the existing layout of the century-old townhouses led to inadequate and cramped spaces for the music school, program block studies were done to find the best layout. The studies concluded that the construction of a new building would provide a larger square footage to the existing programs as well as a layout that could better support the needs of faculty and students.

The design of a new music school would increase the available square footage for many of the programs such as the performance space, rehearsal rooms, and service spaces. The theater would be located on the ground floor, with the windows directly on street level. The large windows invite passersby to look into the theater, creating a showcase of music onto the street. This creates larger accessibility and community engagement with the building, a fundamental aspect of the organization’s mission.

The facade of the building consists of brick and concrete panels. The brick follows the masonry of the neighboring buildings, taking into consideration the urban context while also paying homage to the existing music school. The concrete panels have perforations filter light into the building. At night, the perforations transform the façade into a luminous surface, as the scattered points of light create a sparking effect.

The marquee on the ground floor creates the atmosphere of a classical theater, inviting visitors to come into the building. The canopy signals the building as a space for performance and gathering reinforcing it as an anchor in the community.