BOSTON: 160 Massachusetts Avenue, the Berklee College of Music’s stunning new $100 million, sixteen-story, mixed-use building, is approaching completion. With initial openings planned for January 2014, and full occupancy scheduled for Spring 2014, the 155,000 square-foot tower represents a significant expansion for Berklee. It is also the first ground-up building in the school’s 66-year history. Distinguished by dramatic floor-to-ceiling glass walls, the sprawling music recording/education facility will house eight Walters-Storyk Design Group studios and a live room scaled to host a 50-piece orchestra.
WSDG Partner Sergio Molho, reports “The complex encompasses technical suites, classrooms, practice, ensemble and community rooms, a film dubbing theater and, a unique, three-story 4000 square foot, 400 seat, dual purpose, auditorium/dining hall. Designed by award-winning architects William Rawn Associates, the building will also serve as a residence for the entire 370-member freshman class. This has been one of the most ambitious projects of our 40 year+ company history,” Molho adds, “In addition to an invaluable contribution by our NY-based Sr. Project Manager Romina Larregina, it has engaged the talents and resources of each of our international offices, and virtually every one of our 50+ team members. It will be an extraordinary way to begin the New Year.”
One of the largest educational studio facilities built in the U.S. this year; the 18,000 SF recording/education complex at 160 Mass. offers students a massive battery of production, post-production and recording technology. Each of the four Production Control Suites is equipped with Genelec 8050A Speakers, MOTU MIDI Express 128, TC Electronics 6000 Remote CPUs, Ephonix MC Control, Akai MPK-61, Crown D75 Cu Amplifiers and a comprehensive collection of outboard gear and software programs. Tech Lab features include: Edirol UM-ONE, Euphonix MC Mix, Dangerous Music ST/ST Dynaudio AIR 15. The Central Machine Room incorporates a Dub Stage Digital Console Computer DF66; a Dub Stage Analog I/O AM713/MA703 console; a Dub Stage Console Sonic Wall Router and a host of high-end technology. The Mastering/Critical Listening Lab is outfitted with Euphonix MC Control, ATC SMC 150 ASL, Lipinski 707 Speakers, JL Audio Subwoofer F113 and Manley Mastering Backbone.
WSDG has a long-standing relationship with Berklee. John Storyk developed the school’s signature studio design course. He is also an adjunct professor, and lectures frequently to Berklee College music production and engineering students. This on-going connectivity with both faculty and students, played a significant role in the design program for 160 Mass. The most advanced predictive acoustic modeling software was engaged in the initial development stage, and the latest acoustical and technical innovations have been incorporated in every facet of the design to insure the highest degree of future-proofing for these studios and teaching labs.
For an overview on Berklee’s 160 Mass complex please visit: http://www.berklee.edu/Berklee160
For video tours visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu_iAWHH8Ho and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qo4oaw2ArxY&feature=youtu.be
Photo: Rendering of Berklee College of Music 160 Mass.
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Walters-Storyk Design Group has designed over 3000 media production facilities in the U.S., Europe, the Far East and Latin America. WSDG credits range from the original Jimi Hendrix Electric Lady Studio in Greenwich Village to NYC’s Jazz At Lincoln Center performance complex, broadcast facilities for The Food Network, CBS and WNET, over twenty teaching studios for The Art Institutes around the US, and corporate clients such as Hoffman La Roche. Recent credits include Jungle City, NY’s major new destination studio; private studios for Green Day, Jay-Z, Timbaland’s Tim Mosley, film composer Carter Burwell, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen and Alicia Keys. WSDG principals John Storyk (adjunct professor, Berklee College of Music,) Beth Walters, Sergio Molho and Dirk Noy lecture frequently at universities and industry events, and contribute regularly to industry publications. WSDG has collaborated with such noted architects as: Frank O. Ghery (Novartis Campus,) Rafael Vignoly (Jazz at Lincoln Center,) Norman Foster (El Aleph,) Oscar Niemeyer (CAMG,) Phillipe Stark (Faena Hotel,) Grimshaw (Zurich Airport,) and Santiago Calatrava (Berklee Valencia.) WSDG is a seven-time winner of the prestigious TEC Award for outstanding achievement in Acoustics/Facility Design, including 2012 for NY’s Jungle City. WSDG maintains offices in NY, SF, Miami, Buenos Aires, Belo Horizonte, Basel, Beijing, Barcelona, Mexico City and Mumbai.
