Location: Langa, Cape Town, RSA
Program: Education, Music School
Client: Bridges for Music
Interior: Studio Leelynch
Engineer: AECOM, Alan Hendrie
Status: completed
Area: 2000sqm

In townships, and other areas where poverty persists, many youth are often attracted to a lifestyle of gang culture and criminal activity. However, for many of them music has become a driving force to overcome their struggles; but they lack the appropriate resources and opportunities to expand their potential.

The Bridges Academy, located in Langa Township, aims to become a creative hub where young budding musicians are given the resources to pursue their dreams and hone their skills

The Music Box

The project includes upgrading and refurbishing an existing dilapidated building on the site, and adding a new extension as the public foyer.

The new extension, inspired by the dynamic shapes of musical instruments, is designed as a trapezoid shape to reduce noise reverberations inside the space. It also has a strong sculptural presence that can be seen from the street.

The project was sponsored by Nando’s. The interior and furnishing, designed by Tracy Lynch (Studio LeeLynch), celebrates the colorful energy of South Africa by bring together the works of local artists and makers to create a collaborative space to inspire the students.

Initiatives such as The Spier Arts Trust and the Cape Town Society for the Blind all contributed to the artworks in the space.