School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - ChairSchool Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - HandrailSchool Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - WindowsSchool Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Image 5 of 28School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - More Images+ 23

Text description provided by the architects. When I first started working on this project I happened to be visiting Eero Saarinen’s School of Music in Ann Harbor. Even though the building is interesting, it struck me as odd that no music could be heard in the passageways, not even in the common spaces. At about the same time I watched a documentary about the Music Conservatory in Santiago de Cuba, it was an old colonial house filled with people, joy and music. For this project, I wanted to push to the limits the possibility of acoustic excellence – and also the seclusion and soundproofing of every space –, as well as convey the conviviality and extroversion particular to certain musical practices.

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Windows
© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

As for the inside/outside relationship and air-conditioning, I also wanted to achieve the equilibrium, or get the best of both worlds: opening towards the outside and, as an alternative, a mechanical and sophisticated climatization of each space.

The urban struggle for central and accessible sites results in many schools, even music schools, clinics and hospitals being located in very noisy areas such as this. It is a vibrant area with a certain “suburban centrality”.

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Glass, Column, Handrail
© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

The clearest statement of this project was the creation of an exterior space – a large patio covered with grass – formed by a volume that gradually increases in height and protects it from the exterior noise. As the top of the building gently slopes upwards, the rooms grow successively higher, from smaller classrooms meant for instruments that produce a weaker sound (the flute, for instance), to larger rooms meant for percussion instruments.

The outside of the school is an almost blind volume, except for the corners, where large glass surfaces make the view explode on the inside. But not the sound.

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Facade
© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

All the public spaces and larger rooms were built in the lower floors. The Auditorium is the main space of the building, with a seating capacity of 448 people. Though it is mainly a teaching space, it should be prepared to host musical performances of the highest level, and thus its acoustic requirements are very demanding. Is form is a wooden shell.

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Image 21 of 28
© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

In addition to the teaching spaces, there are a variety of rooms with different dimensions and another (smaller) auditorium. The great “loggia” that surrounds them serves as a spare space for future extensions to the school. The library, cafeteria, office area and staffrooms occupy the southern part of this floor.

School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça - Stairs
© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

Using concrete as our main building material was a simple way of obtaining high levels of acoustic stability and insulation. Silence. The floor in the rooms is made out of wood. It vibrates.

Site Plan

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Lisbon, Portugal

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "School Of Music In Lisbon / João Luís Carrilho da Graça" 10 Feb 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/206489/school-of-music-in-lisbon-joao-luis-carrilho-da-graca> ISSN 0719-8884

© FS+SG - Fotografia de Arquitectura

里斯本的音乐学院 / João Luís Carrilho da Graça

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.