With the constraints of three shipping containers (two 20ft wide and one 40ft wide), this project was assigned to us with complete freedom in venue and architecture. I wanted to address the issues with the concert going experience for both performers and music lovers, proposing a solution to how to fill these pain points and reconstruct the relationship between these two groups.
Thus, Spotify Unplugged was created.
RESEARCH
Google Survey
With the time constraints of this project, I used Google Forms to get some more insight into the key problems of the concert experience.
The Results
82.9% Prefer Spotify as their music streaming platform
62.3% Prefer acoustic shows to large scale productions
When concert goers were asked what they like about concerts:
92.7% said "Listening to music live"
68.3% said "Artist Fan connection"
61% said "Social Aspects (hanging out with friends)"
73.2% said "Prices (ticket, food, water, merchandise)"
61% said "Lines and crowds"
41.5% said "Distance from stage"
When musicians and performers were asked about what they like about the venues they play at they said:
"Intimacy, personalization"
"the sound quality/ venue environment"
"Decorations/art, projected light and/or colorful lighting"
"The intimate space to connect to the viewers"
"Acoustics and vibe"
When musicians and performers were asked about what they dislike about the venues they play at they said:
"Backstage areas are usually small and crowded."
"Lack of load-in room. Generally do not pay enough or at all.t"
"Hot rooms, non-homey atmosphere"
"The time limit"
"Impersonality"
When asked what they wish to see improved about their concert experience they said:
"Increase view ability from all seats (no seats that can’t view the stage)"
"I would like to see stage designs that are more inclusive to their audience and more artist to audience interaction."
"More audience interaction and overall better crowd (hyper crowd)"
"less big scale dance performances- more of just the artist just singing"
"Less people shoving their phones above the crowd to record. Makes trying to see the performer more difficult"
"Less crowds and more affordability"
"...easier access to the entrance"
"I would like to see more room for people or more selective tickets"
"Starting on time/less wait time before the show or between sets"
"more accessibility to food and water"
Brand Analysis: Partnership Guidelines + Style Guide
DESIGN | Ideate
Framing the Problem
How might we design for...
1. The concert goer who wants to spend time and catch up with friends
2. The concert goer who wants to hear their favorite songs live, unobstructed.
3. The performer who wants more privacy and space before and after their performance.
How might we design
1. To prioritize consideration of crowds, lines, visibility --> wayfinding.
2. To foster an intimate, fun environment through stage design and types of space within the venue.
3. To make the concert experience personalized.
The Concept: Why Spotify? What does it mean to be Unplugged?
For music lovers, growing artists, and concert goers, Spotify Unplugged is an intimate, private pop-up concert venue that addresses the issues of large scale concerts today. With the amount of disconnect caused by crowds, lines, overpriced beverage, nosebleed seats, and other technical complications, Spotify Unplugged aims to be the driver of reconnect and relationship between fan and artist.
Taking advantage of the sustainable benefits of using shipping containers in architecture, Spotify Unplugged leaves the individual containers as they are, embracing the urban corrugated metal with a modern, portable concert venue concept to fill the space. The containers and stage size can be altered according to the artist's preference, making the experience their own. Different spaces of privacy and public flow well together, allowing for enjoyable, non-obstructed listening or social, conversational interactions.
The entire goal is to make concert going an intimate, personal, and re-connective experience, sharing the music of artists who wish to branch their platform and share their work with a small group of listeners who wish to simply connect with the songs they've had on repeat.
Currently working as a Spotify sponsored event, I believe that this project is a physical interpretation of Spotify's core of community and opportunity for creative inspiration across fan and creator relationships.
To unplug all the complications of the concert experience and bring back the acoustic,
• Your concert experience, Unplugged. •
Potential Site Analysis- East River State Park
Site Analysis Diagram in North Direction (N ^)
East River State Park is located in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY). With a beautiful view of the East River and skyline, this 7 acre park is home to Smorgasburg, a very popular weekly food market with local vendors, and hosts many other events. The lot space is in constant communication with the river and greenery, creating the perfect view and space for any visitor and their needs.
The surrounding area is very diverse and urban. With many residential, retail, food/beverage, entertainment, and mixed programs, the Williamsburg is a trendy and artistic place to be.
Architectural Drawings
Level 1 and 2 Floor Plans
Exploded Axonometric View of Stage + Color-coded Axonometric View
Bar Section AA' + Stage Section BB'
South Stage Elevation
Within the Venue
Venue Render
Performer Space | Private Space
Bar | Social Space
Rooftop | Social Space
Branding
Shipping Container Designs
Campaign
Artist Promotion
Solving the Problem
How might we design for...
1. The concert goer who wants to spend time and catch up with friends
--> Rooftop space and bar allow for social interaction that is separate from the main stage. There is a direct view of the stage from the bar. The rooftop is elevated and allows for a higher view of the East River and Manhattan Skyline, creating even more opportunity for conversation with some background music.
2. The concert goer who wants to hear their favorite songs live, unobstructed.
--> Stage space allows for both standing and peripheral seating on right and left sides. More social spaces for conversation are designated for the bar and rooftop space.
3. The performer who wants more privacy and space before and after their performance.
--> An entire container is dedicated to space for the performer to unwind, rehearse, lounge, and keep to themselves before, after, and during performance.
Next Steps
• Acoustic analysis of East River State Park
• Acoustic analysis of shipping container, corrugated metal material
• Portability and transportation diagrams + analysis
•Logistics of marketing, ticket sales, availability, etc
--> Who gets the attend this event? Ensure that these smaller artists' fans are aware of the event occurring.
