Musikene, Higher School of Music of the Basque Country, considered a reference as a learning center on the European scale. The solid dark volume is designed by GA + Atxurra Zelaieta Arquitectos, when it is carved, a bright and luminous interior is discovered. The building projects along the city of San Sebastian, the artistic activity developed inside is music.
Photography: Jorge Allende
The Musikene sculpted building responses to dense and compartmentalized needs programme in a constrained plot. This situation makes the building use the maximum volume allowed by the regulations and enlarge the surface of the façades as much as possible in order to light each and every space. The volume veils a precious piece inside, the auditorium, which becomes the heart of the building. Photography: Aitor Ortiz
In addition, the building houses 75 different size acoustic classrooms, 32 individual practice cabins, library, music archives, administration and teacher areas along with many other facilities.
The Form of Musikene
Even though the building can appear to be an arbitrary sculpture, the project is the result of meticulously adapting the needs to the geometry and demands of the plot. Leading to a design, which seeks to be representative of the artistic activities that take place inside.
Photography: Aitor Ortiz
The building arises as an inner self-sufficient element, nevertheless answers back to its surroundings giving a response to the urban structure and nearby buildings.

The bui...