THE SOUNDWAVE CENTERCOMMUNITY MUSIC CENTER

WATERLOO, ONTARIO

DIDS402: SENIOR THESIS 3SPRING 2015

TIFFANY PIOTROWSKI

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The world of music is reaching a paradox.

At one end, the internet and social media has enabled the consumption of music at levels unimaginable in past decades. One can listen to songs, learn instrumental tutorials, and research music based knowledge with the click of a button. This format,

however, has its limitations as it eliminates a key component to the musical atmosphere: connectivity.

On the other hand, the formal education of music is becoming increasingly gentrified, reserved for the elite upper classes. With a lack of dedicated funding for arts in the Ontario school systems as well as the expense of private lessons and costly instruments, many children are simply not granted the ‘privilege’ of learning music. Similarly, young adults attempting to break into the competitive professional music scene may be hindered by the high costs of recording music, renting professional equipment or studio time, mixing tracks, and finding places to share and perform their work.

But music should not be a ‘privilege’; it should be a right to all. This problem is relevant because music has been shown to increase learning skills in children, increase emotional investment in other school subjects, as well as strengthen community ties, allow people to find a voice and purpose, and enrich people’s lives in many other ways.

The city of Waterloo, Ontario is an important location for musicianship. Every year along King St., the renowned SunLife Jazz Festival takes over the streets, as well as an annual Busker’s Festival. Furthermore, Waterloo is often a destination stop for artist tours between London and Toronto, but there are limited venue options making it difficult for non-established artists to find a place to perform. Uptown Waterloo is also in walking distance to both the University of Waterloo and Wilfred Laurier University, both of which have prestigious Music Programs, as well as within a 2 km radius of two elementary schools.

This thesis proposes a multi-use music focused community center that can be utilized by local schools, community members, emerging artists, and University students. The center will include a jazz club, a mid sized concert/event venue, classrooms, a library with instrument and equipment loans, recording studios, and other spaces geared towards the development of music

for everyone. Importantly, it will reintroduce the idea of fellowship and community back into the music scene.

ABSTRACT

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LINEARCONNECTIVEREFLEXTIVEJAGGEDJUXTAPOSED

CONCEPT SKETCHES

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GROUND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1/1�” = 1’-0”

KIN

G S

TR

EET S

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PARKING LOT

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SECOND FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 1/1�” = 1’-0”

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THIRD FLOOR PLAN SCALE: 3/32” = 1’-0”

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SECTIONAL ELEVATION 1: NORTH SCALE: 3/32” = 1’-0”

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OUTDOOR COURTYARD

TYPICAL DAY AT THE SOUNDWAVE COURTYARD: BUSKING, READING, GATHERING

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JAZZ CAFE PERSPECTIVE

2�

COFFEE BAR PERSPECTIVE

EXPOSED BRICKIMAGE 27

HONEYCOMB TILE IMAGE 28

GREY OAK FLOORS

R.H. STOOLSIMAGE 29