Neatly tucked away along a side-road, Sheffield’s Department of Music, aka The Soundhouse, by careyjones architects & Jefferson Sheard Architects is eye-catching. For all its initial quirkiness, it’s a well-behaved building that sits comfortably beside its neighbours. It gets your attention, but doesn’t try too hard at that. Surprisingly, the external skin is made of rubber!
I think it’s a perfect example of Symbolism - applying a recognisable interior skin meant for acoustic insulation to the exterior skin. It’s quite literally a music box, albeit a very sensual one with its rippling jet black surfaces and mirror-finished studs. I wonder what Ruskin would think.
In other news, house-hunting season is finally over. Much relieved that we’ve managed to get a pretty decent place to stay. Moving in and ‘owning’ the place brought much joy and excitement.
Mental note to self: It’s a joy that all home-owners have a right to experience and as an architect one really needs to balance artistic license and the owner’s aspirations. The project might be your ‘baby’ but it’s also someone’s home. Tread cautiously. Or better yet, and only if possible, choose a like-minded client.
