Showcase 2024 Student Spotlight: Myla Comiskey
Student Spotlight featuring BArch Architecture student, Myla Comiskey and her project, 'HarmonyCore'.
By Antonio Cuyas | Published on 24 May 2024
Categories: Student Showcase; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
The project
The essence of music lies not only in its melodies but also in its ability to unify and harmonize communities. In response to the need for a new educational hub in Nottingham, this thesis presents a comprehensive design proposal centred around the integration of music education into the heart of the city.
The project aims to bridge the gap between academia and the broader community by offering versatile spaces for learning, collaboration, and performance. Drawing inspiration from the symbiotic relationship between geometry and music, the design revolves around the concept of musical harmony, manifested through the use of the Flower of Life grid.
This thesis outlines the programmatic elements, spatial considerations, and conceptual framework driving the creation of a vibrant and inclusive environment conducive to musical education and engagement. At the core of the design is the integration of performance spaces, rehearsal rooms, private practice areas, and recording studios—all essential components of a thriving music education ecosystem.
The facility is envisioned as a future learning hub, offering higher education music courses alongside ample opportunities for musical practice and collaboration. Embracing an ethos of accessibility and inclusivity, the facilities are open for public use, thereby encouraging interaction and dialogue between students and the surrounding community.
In the proposed thesis, the concept of immersion is crucial to understanding the symbiotic relationship between music, architecture, and the individuals who inhabit these spaces.
There are three immersions:
People/ Music Immersion:
My project focuses on how individuals engage with and are influenced by music, creating spaces within Nottingham’s music education hub that inspire learning, creativity, and community interaction.
Architecture/ Music Immersion:
Incorporating rhythm, harmony, and proportion into architectural composition, my project draws parallels with musical composition techniques to create a harmonious and rhythmically engaging environment within Nottingham’s music education hub. Investigating acoustic properties and drawing parallels with musical techniques, the design aims to enhance the perception and experience of sound, fostering an immersive environment for musical education and performance.
People/ Architecture/ Music Immersion:
Prioritizing user needs and experiences, the design integrates human perspectives within the architectural spaces, promoting a holistic approach that enhances learning, creativity, and community engagement in music education.
The inspiration about the project
With a rich foundation in classical music performance and theory, Myla's venture into the realm of architecture quickly revealed significant parallels between these two artistic domains. Further exploration, backed by research, uncovered that her observation was shared by numerous others who had delved into this relationship.
Moreover, as Myla concentrated on my design studio project centred around crafting a musical educational civic centre in Nottingham, delving into the interplay of music, architecture, and education became imperative. The research conducted as part of her dissertation strongly influenced her design studio project, creating the three immersions mentioned above.
Being part of NTU
The past three years studying architecture at NTU have been incredibly rewarding and transformative. Entering her first year with a passion for maths, art, and design, Myla never anticipated just how profound an impact this course would have on my life. Today, as she prepares to continue her journey towards becoming a fully qualified architect, she reflects on the invaluable experiences and inspiration she's gained.
This course has been life-changing, providing Myla with opportunities to collaborate closely with dedicated tutors whose guidance and expertise have been truly inspirational. Their support has been a cornerstone of her educational experience, motivating her to strive for excellence and deepening her love for architecture. The knowledge and skills Myla's acquired, combined with the encouragement from her mentors, have solidified her commitment to completing the full seven-year path to becoming an architect.
Closing remarks
I am so grateful for the opportunity to partake in such a challenging course and making it to finish third year is a huge achievement. Thinking like a designer, and designing like detective, solving problems and making innovative, creative decisions is what this course is all about.
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