EskewDumezRipple has unveiled its design for the Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience Museum in New Orleans. The 120,000-square-foot project is intended as a “venue to showcase and highlight the contributions that the city of New Orleans has made to the music industry.”

Located opposite the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the museum seeks to consolidate a complete view of music from several smaller museums spread across the state and region. The concept design of the scheme is inspired by music and musical instruments, with an outer shell drawing inspiration from the hollowed body of a guitar. 

Meanwhile, the outlines and silhouettes of various instruments including violins, guitars, and brass pieces, are conveyed through “sinuous and flowing lines” in specific elements and building details.

AI tools such as Midjourney were used during the design process to generate a wide variety of architectural forms and styles, drawing inspiration from images of musical instruments, from guitars to saxophones. Descriptions such as “Zumthor architecture,” “dramatic lighting,” and “cinematic” were also added as prompts for creative outputs, according to a project announcement. 

“With access to a vast archive of imagery, AI algorithms helped to discern the nuances of form, texture, and proportion that define various musical instruments,” the team explains.

Inside, the museum will hold exhibits, performance spaces, a research and archival area, a museum store, as well as classroom and education areas. 

The venue will also provide a music club and restaurant where visitors can “enjoy the sounds and tastes of New Orleans.”