La Métaphone, a concert hall in Ognies, France, is a 1,980-sm facility with the unique characteristic of being a structural musical instrument. The solar-powered building incorporates musical elements in its walls, which can be played by musicians inside or outside the facility. Architect Isabel Herault, of Herault Arnold Architectes, has referred to the building as an "urban musical instrument."
The central music hall is a fairly traditional black box, wrapped in a skin of glass, steel, and wood. A rooftop lattice supports integrated photovoltaic cells. Instrumental elements include both mechanical and electroacoustic systems, which were prototyped with the eight-module musical facade illustrated in this video:
Instruments are mounted on plates in the building's exterior framing system, and sound is magnified by vibrating bowls that create a loudspeaker effect. The facility's wall panels also have acoustical properties that make them "playable," potentially allowing composers to create works incorporating the entire building.
Related Stories
Museums | May 13, 2015
The museum of tomorrow: 8 things to know about cultural institutions in today’s society
Entertainment-based experiences, personal journeys, and community engagement are among the key themes that cultural institutions must embrace to stay relevant, write Gensler's Diana Lee and Richard Jacob.
Industrial Facilities | May 11, 2015
SOM-designed Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute opens in Chicago
The new space will be a place for academia, industries, and civic bodies to collaborate.
Sponsored | Roofing | May 11, 2015
How architects can tap into the expertise of their metal roof manufacturer, part 2
Here are three things metal roof manufacturers can do to help the architect
BIM and Information Technology | May 10, 2015
How beacons will change architecture
Indoor positioning is right around the corner. Here is why it matters.
Architects | May 10, 2015
Harness the connection between managing risk and increasing profitability, Part 2
In Part 1, we covered taking control of the submittals schedule and managing RFIs. Let’s move on to properly allocating substitutions and limiting change orders.
Architects | May 10, 2015
Harness the connection between managing risk and increasing profitability, Part 1
AE firms need to protect themselves against vague contractual and procedural situations during all phases of the project in order to minimize their liability and exposure to risk, writes AEC industry consultant Steve Whitehorn.
Building Team | May 8, 2015
Construction industry adds 45,000 jobs in April
The construction industry saw an increase in jobs during the month of April after losing approximately 9,000 positions in March.
Building Team | May 8, 2015
Surety bond forms specifically for design-build projects now available
The documents are the first of their kind to be coauthored by designers and builders.
High-rise Construction | May 6, 2015
Parks in the sky? Subterranean bike paths? Meet the livable city, designed in 3D
Today’s great cities must be resilient—and open—to many things, including the influx of humanity, writes Gensler co-CEO Andy Cohen.
Architects | May 5, 2015
How to build 'smart' teams
In today's complex world, there are no simple answers—solutions to our most pressing problems aren't offered in 140 characters. Instead, it takes teams of people to rise to a challenge, resolve issues, and execute on strategy, writes Paladino's Julie Honeywell.