EskewDumezRipple Uses Musical Instruments and AI as Inspiration For Their Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience Museum Design

EskewDumezRipple has revealed their architectural vision for the Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience Museum in New Orleans. This 120,000-square-foot project is conceived as a space dedicated to celebrating and emphasizing the significant impact New Orleans has had on the music industry.

Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience Museum by EskewDumezRipple

Situated across from the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, this museum aims to bring together and unify the diverse facets of music that were previously housed in smaller museums scattered throughout the state and region. The conceptual design of the project takes its cues from the world of music and musical instruments, featuring an exterior design influenced by the distinctive form of a guitar’s hollowed body.
Furthermore, the architecture of the museum incorporates elements and architectural details that evoke the shapes and profiles of various musical instruments such as violins, guitars, and brass instruments. These musical forms are elegantly represented through sinuous and fluid lines integrated into the building’s design.

During the design process, AI tools like Midjourney played a pivotal role in generating a diverse array of architectural forms and styles. These AI tools were fed with inspiration derived from images of musical instruments, ranging from guitars to saxophones. Additionally, specific descriptors such as “Zumthor architecture,” “dramatic lighting,” and “cinematic” were integrated as prompts to guide and stimulate creative outputs, as announced by the project.

The team explains that through access to an extensive archive of images, AI algorithms played a crucial role in discerning the intricate details related to the form, texture, and proportion that characterize different musical instruments.

Within the museum’s interior, visitors can look forward to a wide range of features, including exhibit spaces, performance venues, a dedicated research and archival section, a museum store, and areas designed for classrooms and educational purposes. Furthermore, the venue will house a music club and restaurant, offering visitors the opportunity to savor the distinctive sounds and flavors of New Orleans.