Title: Benjamin F Ward Music Room Suite
Location of Proejct: Durham, North Carolina
Project Completion Date: September 2019
Firm Name: Andre Johnson Architect, PLLC

Short Description: The Duke Music Rooms are a collection of small music practice rooms created from an underutilized commons room in an existing residence hall. The project was conceived as a space that was simple but also vibrant. The design transformed the space from dull and drab to a colorful but respectful space. The design took advantage of an existing window to maximize natural light. The space is organized to be efficient and to maximize space. A strong colorful move identifies the entry and waiting area where there are integrated instrument storage cabinets.

Architect's Statement: The limited budget and scope required the design team to be resourceful. The corridor improvements were limited to replacing the existing flooring, wall construction and limited painting. The existing corridor ceiling and lights were not included in the scope of work. The main corridor walls are decorated with custom artwork designed by the architect and a local graphics design company. The mural reflects the energy and clarity of the music rooms contained within the renovated suite of spaces.
McClendon Tower is located at a junction of several dormitories on Duke University’s West Campus. The tower contains several amenity spaces for students, and the Music Room Suite, located on the Second Floor, adds another popular draw for students living on this side of campus. The area outside of the tower receives a large amount of pedestrian traffic throughout the day; the large window at the entry provides increased visibility for the project from the ground at various locations, as well as from upper floors of adjacent dormitories. This is especially highlighted in the evening and night when the vibrant orange glow of the light reflecting off of the plastic laminate at the entry emanates through the window.
The design employs limited architectural elements and materials to create a simple yet powerful experience for the users of the space. Upon approach from the elevator lobby, or the stair connecting McClendon Tower to the adjacent dormitory, visitors are engaged by the black and gray tonal art wall composed of abstract musical iconography. The use of these tones stands in stark contrast to the bold orange glossy plastic laminate that defines the ceiling and back wall of the entry to the suite. The color of the floor treatment in each of the areas of the project reinforces the clear delineation of zones and accentuates the contrast. The walls of the corridor which provides access to the individual practice rooms, are painted a neutral gray, in deference to the bold statement made at the entry. The color juxtaposition is further highlighted by the orange acoustical fabric panels that are attached to the back wall of each of the practice rooms. While there are small high windows in the rooms at the plan south side of the corridor, the only views and abundant natural light permitted into the project are provided in the entry by way of a large southeast facing picture window which overlooks the public way between McClendon Tower and Eden’s Dormitory. The sill of this window is treated as a bench providing a fitting spot for impromptu conversations or even musical collaborations between users of the space.
The existing spaces were a 1,000 sf meeting room with flexible seating, a small storage room, and IT closet. The renovation converted those spaces into a suite which provides practice rooms for musicians. Additionally a space that was previously a double height volume on the floor below was in-filled to provide space for another practice room The project is organized into an entry foyer, central corridor within the suite, and 8 individual rooms accessed off of the central corridor. Each room is equipped with fabric acoustical wall panels, and doors which have acoustical seals and sweeps to mitigate sound transmission to the corridor and adjacent rooms. Storage compartments for instruments are provided in the entry and at the end of the corridor within the suite.
The design team worked with a local North Carolina artist and sign maker to create the images for the art wall. The abstracted musical bars and instruments depict a whimsical visual collage intended to contribute to a relaxed and fun ambiance. The graphics stretch across the wall of the corridor outside of the suite, and then turn the corner onto the wall that separates the entry from the suite corridor where the practice rooms are located. The choice of black and gray tones convey a clean modern aesthetic and balance out the vivid orange of the carpet, ceiling and back wall of the entryway.