MOTION HARMONY LIBRARY
Work by Erine Collard - Arch 410 Design Studio
The Motion Harmony Library is conceived as a cultural and creative hub that rekindles the rich community spirit once fostered by the Fillmore District’s jazz heritage. The design takes inspiration from the neighborhood’s historic role as a gathering place for music, movement, and artistic expression. In this spirit, the project seeks to blur the boundaries between structure and performance, stillness and rhythm, education and creativity.
At the core of the design is a triangular lattice structure—an expressive and dynamic system that became both the architectural and conceptual foundation of the project. Through precedent studies, load testing, and physical/digital form-finding exercises, the lattice was developed into a dual-purpose design element: it can either define and enclose intimate learning spaces, or it can break them apart, acting as a spatial interruption that invites movement and exploration. This shifting relationship between solid and void, frame and flow, forms the experiential backbone of the building.
Exterior View - Main Entry
The lattice is not merely structural—it is performative. Its geometry suggests rhythm, syncopation, and energy, aligning closely with the programmatic focus on music and dance. The structure becomes an active participant in the life of the building, appearing to "move" with users as they occupy spaces designed for rehearsal, performance, and creative learning. This sense of motion embedded in the architecture fosters a unique synergy between form and use.
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Programmatically, the Motion Harmony Library integrates spaces for dance studios, music rehearsal rooms, recording and media labs, reading lounges, and classrooms—each tailored to encourage spontaneous collaboration and open access to resources. Transparency, circulation, and acoustic zoning are carefully balanced to support focused learning while also inviting the public in through shared spaces and visual connections.
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The project’s ultimate goal is to create a place where community members—young and old, experienced and emerging—can learn, create, and connect. By transforming the architectural structure itself into a symbol of rhythm and harmony, the building becomes more than a container for culture; it becomes a cultural instrument in its own right, one that continues the legacy of music and movement as vital threads in the social fabric of the neighborhood.
Interior View - Primary Performance Space
