ensamble studio: berklee tower of music, valencia

the berklee tower of music by ensamble studio

spanish architectural firm ensamble studio designed the berklee tower of music as part of valencia cultural complex, located in the quatre carreres district, in the ronda sur area of valencia near the new dance and music conservatories. the building has been conceived as a landmark in the city centre, as a space from where it is possible to contemplate the skyline. the building houses SGAE theatre and the berklee college of music both of them form a single presence on the new urban space and are connected in the multifunctional lobby which is a theatre, a public square and an interactive area.

model of berklee tower of music

the project is composed by two basic elements of opposite forms: a plinth (horizontal building two – storey high) and a tower standing on top of it (with 24 levels above the two of the plinth). the plinth accommodates the non- academic activities of the program, which are those more directly linked to the urban surroundings, like commerce and students’ residential areas, parking and the concert hall. the roof level of the plinth is a big plaza that gives access to the tower. it acts as a public space where continuous activities (sports, leisure, cultural, artistic) provide it with a dynamic and multi-functional  character; and it raises the point of view enough to have perspective and be able to contemplate the surrounding landscape (the harbor, the orchard and the sea). the tower encloses the academic program (classroom, laboratories, practice and ensemble rooms, recording, production and post production facilities, media center, offices, storage space, etcetera.)

the tower, which overlooks the plaza, is enclosed by a structural skin built with precast concrete beams piled up one on top of the other. this outer skin acts as a bearing wall and is braced by a system of precast concrete beams and buttresses attached to its interior side, which also help to support the suspended floors that will be arranged in functional blocks. the different functional blocks (four-storey high) are piled vertically in a gradual rotation forming  a helix of spaces. due to the gradual rotation of the functional piled blocks, a series of urban plaza are generated inside the tower – every four levels. these urban spaces which give access to each block provide views depending on the orientation: to the historical quarter, the harbor, the mediterranean sea and the valencian orchard.

in opposition to the solid and massive appearance of the tower seen from the outside, the inside is permeable and transparent and opens to the outside through the huge ‘balconies’ strategically  located in the facade according to the views and best orientation of the different activities.

model