The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras’ new building, designed by Strang Architects and expected to open in 2023, is inspired by the curves of a cello.
“The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras is proposing a striking design of glass and curving roofs inspired by the contours of a cello for its $29 million music center on the site of the now-closed Avenue Club and Bubble Up Bar on the Near East Side,” writes Dean Mosiman in Sunday’s (12/5) Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI). “WYSO, which shared initial concepts for its center … in mid-June, has now refined the design for the three-story, 40,085-square-foot structure, which will have 60% glass glazing on the front façade to offer views into the building and create a glowing beacon effect in the evening…. ‘I hope people … will be wowed not just by the building but by what is going on inside the building: a transparent, creative and welcoming space for the entire community,’ executive director Bridget Fraser said. The new WYSO center for music will be home to rehearsal space for about 450 young musicians…. Arts philanthropists Pleasant Rowland and Jerry Frautschi have pledged $18 million toward the project, which is expected to open by spring or fall 2023…. The site is in the block adjacent to the block holding the new Madison Youth Arts Center.”
