GR7 Architecture was mandated to carry out the “Transformation of a swimming pool” into music rooms by the Marguerite-Bourgeoys (CSSMB) school board. This project required three music rooms and two multimedia rooms, in place of the pool, at the Dorval Jean XXIII school. The goal of the project was to design a well soundproofed, lighted and spacious music room to adapt to its new vocation.
The transformation of the pool has given way to a new multimedia room with a recording studio and a multipurpose room located on the ground floor. These spaces take the space of the old locker rooms and the pool.
Due to the initial structure of the pool and the low bearing capacity of the ground, GR7 had to replace the acoustic concrete block walls with gypsum walls (lighter) to respect the bearing capacity of the ground. To optimize the redesign of the double-height pool area, the most suitable design was to eliminate the excess volume of the space by integrating soundproofing panels. This approach maintained the effect of size without getting lost in the space.
Since the space’s former purpose was at odds with its new use, one of the major challenges of this project was the soundproofing of the former pool area. GR7 worked with an acoustical engineer to ensure that the space would meet the new needs. Thus, acoustic panels were placed on the ceiling at different angles to recreate the movement of sound waves. In addition, the music cubicles for practice are now equipped with Russian birch plywood panels with non-absorbent surfaces, again in the same wave effect idea. This design was created to allow the sound to change direction and avoid reverberation. The storage lockers have also been designed with this in mind, using wire mesh doors to avoid resonance and sound bouncing. The walls were fitted with acoustic panels and the existing concrete floors were covered with a vinyl floor.
The installation of the zig-zag linear lighting fixtures also reflects this sound wave effect and is organized in such a way that the lighting of the rooms is appropriate and consistent with the purpose of the space, creating an aesthetic harmonization of the whole.
The Dorval-Jean-XXIII School is now equipped with modern double-height music rooms with acoustics worthy of professional music rooms, exceptional quality lighting and generous and functional learning and recording spaces.
