Project
The proposal envisions the coming together of two of Nottingham’s principal academic institutions, Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, through the creation of a shared centre for music education, performance and cultural exchange. Conceived as a universal hub for musical practice within the city, the scheme establishes a collaborative environment that transcends institutional boundaries, encouraging interdisciplinary learning, public engagement and collective creativity. The project responds to the growing need for a dedicated facility that not only supports specialist music education, but also celebrates the broader cultural and social role of performance within contemporary urban life.
Project
This staircase operates as more than a means of vertical circulation; it becomes the social and cultural spine of the former James Alexander Building, connecting its new function as a music school with the daily experiences of its users. As it rises through the building, it links accommodation for students, visiting tutors and musicians, creating a continuous thread between living, learning and performing.
Rather than being treated as a purely functional element, the staircase is conceived as a sequence of spatial moments that reflect and support musical practice. Each landing and widening in the stair introduces opportunities for occupation, places where sound, movement and interaction can occur.
