MANGO VINYL PRESS (MVP)
Cesis, Latvia
Mango Vinyl Hub Competition
Collaboration w/ Zach Mulitauaopele
Spring 2017
COMMON GROUND
Music is a universal language. It can be far reaching across continents, or it can be as intimate as two lovers sharing a pair of earphones. Whether local or global, native or foreign, music has the special ability to transcend boundaries and implant itself into different regions and cultures. Although, the devices in which we listen to music have evolved with the digital era, vinyl still holds a strong sense of nostalgia that is inescapable. Perhaps then it is not so inconceivable to believe that the intimate town of Cesis, Latvia could have the ability to create something larger than itself. With the steady incline of vinyl sales in the past decade (and surprisingly exceeding digital sales this year) it makes sense for Cesis to push a medium that is nostalgic for the city’s connection to vinyl from the “Bellaccord Electro” days, while aiming to push typical conventions of the vinyl experience. The strategy for the Mango Campus focuses on two main goals: Creativity + Community. The north bar has been programmed for community-based programs, while the southern bar is utilized for light manufacturing, creativity, and office space. The main ground surface of the interior campus has been codified to capture different programs within the public plazas, while the outward-facing surfaces maintain the details of the existing building facades. The ground graphic extends out toward the main pedestrian, vehicular, and transit connection points which creates a circular link to the main arteries that reach out to neighboring cities. This ultimately creates a clear surface representation that is visually exciting, gives back to the community, and delineates what is old and new.
PRODUCTION + EXPERIENCE
The strategy for MVP began with a simple break-down of the suggested program into two general categories: Vinyl Production and MVP Experience. With further studies, it became clear that the vinyl production would occupy majority of the space, while the MVP experience would occupy a minimal footprint (7:1 ratio). In order to leverage the importance of the Mango experience, the strategy was to extrude the footprint upward allowing the experience to extend beyond its initial limits. This allows MVP to maximize press production, greatly expand vinyl quantity, and provide a new efficient core for the rest of the building.
QUANTITY + QUALITY
One of the most lasting impressions walking into a vinyl store is the sheer quantity of vinyl that seems to cover every square inch of surface. This affect is both delirious and exciting where one can’t help but deep dive into the rabbit hole of music genres and come across unexpected artists and sounds. In the case of the Vinyl Tower, it is a complete amplification of this experience where the walls of the building are literally the vinyl storage. The circulation is setup in a spiral layout so that there is a sense of movement and connection between all music genres. The vinyl storage then has a series of “genre blocks” and “listening pods” that are inserted and embedded within the 15”x15” module for different listening experiences. It was vital to provide multiple types of private and public listening pods since everyone enjoys music in their own way. The Communal Pods allow for sitting, laying, and standing arrangements, while the Immersion Pods allow for sitting, private speakers, and even soundproof karaoke sessions. The Vinyl Tower takes a note from Helmars Rudzitis’ “Bellaccord Electro” record label founded in Latvia in 1931. A leading record producer of its time, it reached an immense production rate of 600 records/day and up to 200,000 records in 1943. With these quantities in mind, the Vinyl Tower’s capacity is an estimated 250,000 records. This ultimately will allow MVP to have an extensive and impressive library of records, and continuously expand into the tower of music.
GENRE GRADIENT
In order to make sense of the different genres and sub-genres of vinyl, data was collected in order to quantify the popular demand from the global music community. The percentages were then taken from the total surface area of the vinyl storage, and then mapped out accordingly starting from most popular at the bottom, to the least popular at the top. One vital exception is the permanent “red” section that celebrates Latvian Folk music as the starting point of the journey upward. By codifying these genres in the proper Mango colors, this creates a type of “genre gradient” or “heat index” that slowly winds its way up to the top.
MANGO VINYL PRESS, PRODUCTION, & PERFORMANCE
Every great music venue begs an even better music performance. The MVP roof houses a special performance space that inserts itself into the membrane of the Vinyl Tower. The northeast corner of the tower utilizes an extra-large digital screen that can be used for performances and promotions that can be seen from a great distance within the city. On the center of the roof is a voluptuous mound that is sprinkled with skylights. This can be used as public seating for casual gatherings and music performances. The wooden mound also takes form within the Co-Work space as a vaulted dome ceiling that captures natural light for the lounge and meeting rooms below. The MVP is a factory for pressing, producing, and performing. It has the potential to house one of the most extensive vinyl collections and truly celebrate a music history attached to the love and creation of vinyl, while simultaneously crafting a dynamic campus for creativity and supporting the community of Cesis.
