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It's Musical in the Modern World
March 29, 2013
Dwell has been exploring how acoustics factor into architecture, most recently in contributor William Hamilton's essay "The World of Sound" and in the forthcoming May issue on Steven Holl's Daeyang House and Gallery inspired by a never-performed symphony. Here we turn our eye, or ear rather, to seven projects which show that it's musical in the modern world.
The practice area in musician Rob Brill's Los Angeles house features a ’50s Wurlitzer piano and a mid-’60s Ludwig drum kit. For acoustics, the architect insulated the walls with two layers of Sheetrock stuffed with denim insulation. The floor is made of pegboard—an unusual, albeit cost-effective, material choice. Photo by Noah Webb.
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Originally appeared in Drumming Up Design
Architect Barbara Bestor designed a DJ booth in a Venice, California, house. "We thought that this would become the communal center of the living area—the hearth—instead of a TV or a fireplace. When friends visited, I could just jump up and put on a record, or let others take turns. I could also throw a blow-out party, push the sofas out of the way, and transform my living room into a dance floor," says resident Eric Grunbaum.
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Originally appeared in Daft Punk Could Play at This House
When opera singer Ainsley Ryan and Goldman Sachs VP Chris Showalter took over a fixer-upper loft in a former factory in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, they decided to, quite literally, think outside the box. A large OSB structure with skylights, a bathroom, enclosed baby’s room, and master sleeping alcove dominates the loft.
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Originally appeared in Hive Minded
On a once-vacant corner lot in a transitional Jersey City neighborhood, a pair of local architects devised a clever prefab for a resourceful client. Resident Denis Carpenter, a former professional musician, spends considerable time playing several instruments around the house, including his bass recorder.
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Originally appeared in Garden Statement
Music looms large in McKenzie’s life—a passion that’s reflected on the walls of the 861-square-foot house, two of which are lined with mounted guitars. Their cases, along with a sitar, occupy most of the bench space in the narrow study, and in the living room, there’s an old Akai reel-to-reel tape recorder and a Fender amp at the ready. Photo by Patrick Reynolds.
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Originally appeared in Orchard Jam
Case Study architect Edward Killingsworth’s masterpiece, the 1957 Opdahl House, fell into ruin, but thanks to a musician with a passion for modernism, it is celebrating its 50th anniversary in mint condition. Amidst the vintage furnishings—including pieces by Hans Olsen, Paul McCobb, and Hans Wegner—resident Andreas Stevens works an array of musical gear. Photo by Catherine Ledner.
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Originally appeared in Opdahl Remastered
In a Melbourne suburb, a family of four redefines “interior design” with a private house that doubles as a public art gallery. The residents make good use of the music room and hold Sunday concerts with local and international musicians.
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Originally appeared in Ever Wanted to Live in an Art Gallery?
The practice area in musician Rob Brill's Los Angeles house features a ’50s Wurlitzer piano and a mid-’60s Ludwig drum kit. For acoustics, the architect insulated the walls with two layers of Sheetrock stuffed with denim insulation. The floor is made of pegboard—an unusual, albeit cost-effective, material choice. Photo by Noah Webb.
Photo by Noah Webb.
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