MCA completes house of music in italy as nine circular pavilions

a cluster of nine circular buildings form the new ‘house of music’ within the campus of the music society of pieve and music school in bologna, italy. the distinctive series of pavilion-like buildings are organised around a ‘piazza’ to host music laboratories and a place of sharing, socialising among the students.

the facility is located in a portion of the restored, former lamborghini manufacturing area

MCA (mario cucinella architects), the firm in charge of completing the project followed an architectural language derived from the musical tradition rooted in the city. this led to the facility being comprised of various independent elements but when together, visualise and act like a collective orchestra. additionally, the choice of oak wood paneling which wraps the exterior and interior – similar to the bodies of the string instruments – continues the theme of music, while promoting the containment and amplification of sound inside.

altogther, the facility consists of 9 small circular music laboratories

the varying heights of the volumes and the lifted disk roofs give the building a playful character. the central piazza area is intended for ensemble music and small rehearsals. sited on a portion of the former lamborghini manufacturing area, the house of music has become a space that can be used at any time of the day: a gathering space for the community, not only those in the music field. illuminated externally, at night, the building appears to the people as a ‘lantern’ to encourage the appreciation and learning of musical and recreational activities especially in the aftermath of the recent earthquake.

a curvilinear wooden bench runs around the building and creates resting and restorative places facing the park