Throughout time, music has allowed different cultures and demographics to unite and share common grounds. Everyone has the innate ability to understand and enjoy music, as sound can be experience as a conversation in its own language. To translate music into an architectural composition, its structure is broken down to its core elements. Decibels, the vibration range of music becomes the movement and circulation through space; Frequency, the measure of levels in sound, translates to space volume and hierarchy; and Pitch, the audible movements becomes the control of light that individuals experience as they traverse throughout the built environment.

River Flows in You performed by renowned composer Lee Ru-ma, more commonly known as Yiruma and up and coming musical prodigy Henry Lau, provides a metaphorical relationship to the design. This musical piece was received as a reinterpretation of a predominant classical harmony
by Yiruma which is redone in a modern approach through the incorporation of Henry Lau. The proposed site is located on the western shores
of Treasure Island, a median point between San Francisco and Oakland, connecting the Eastern and Western ends of the Bay Bridge. This diverse
area combines the hustle of the urban environment within San Francisco that often correlates to its history within Oakland’s strong urban culture.
Looking at the dramatic and rhythmic contrast performed by the two composers, it draws parallels to the differences of Oakland and San
Francisco.

Following the idea of harmony between duality, the concept of the music center is a space that can be interpreted in both the progression and
evolution of music and the unity of the adjacent cities of Oakland and San Francisco. The use of hard materials such as steel and stone in
comparison to the softness of wood and glass represents the dichotomy and parallelism of the perceived space. A center that focuses on the
experimentation of music to the final exhibition, Resonating Rhythm is a center that celebrates the journey of a musician as they experience their
process to perfect their craft.