Bogotá, Colombia — La Caja de Música is the latest musical practice, recording, and film-mixing facility at University of the Andes (Universidad de los Andes) in Bogotá. Officially opened earlier this year, the project combines prize-winning architecture by former University graduates, as well as a world-class acoustics and AV systems design by WSDG.
As one of Colombia’s most prestigious academic institutions and the first private university in the country independent from political or religious affiliations, University of the Andes launched an architectural competition in 2018 to determine the concept for the new music practice building. The competition, open exclusively to recent graduates of the University, resulted in a winning proposal by Carolina Jaimes, Juan López, and Alejandro Puentes, selected from five finalists. In its official statement, the jury praised “the relationship of the interior spaces with the open ones of the University; the robust and austere materiality of the exterior and the warmth to the interior that wood offers; the neutrality and contemporaneity in which the form is related to the surrounding heritage constructions; and the way it cohesively addresses the connections at different levels.”
WSDG was invited to join the evaluation committee based on its extensive experience of designing major educational and technical facilities throughout Colombia, including Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá and Universidad ICESI in Cali. After the winning proposal was selected, WSDG was contracted to deliver structural acoustics, isolation and room acoustics, AV systems design, as well as Technical Interior Design (TID) for the entire project. As WSDG Senior Partner and Co-CEO Sergio Molho explains, “The University approached us because they wanted someone who could safeguard the acoustic criteria from day one, ensuring that the final facility would meet world-class technical standards while fully respecting the architects’ vision.”
Conceived as a multifunctional hub, La Caja de Música brings together music education, performance, recording, and cinematic sound production. At the heart of the facility is the 1,399 sq ft (130m²), triple-height live room, designed as both a world-class recording space and a flexible venue for recitals, ensemble rehearsals, and lectures. Describing the architectural intention, Santiago Lozano, Director of the University’s Department of Music, notes: “La Caja de Música was designed as the architectural metaphor of a music box that unfolds and envelops its surroundings with melodies, offering visitors a uniquely immersive sensory experience from within.”
The acoustics and technical performance of this signature space were central to WSDG’s work. “This room needed to operate as a live recording space and as a venue,” says Molho. “It had to support everything from orchestral sessions to lectures, which meant full isolation, large-scale variable acoustics, and absolute flexibility.” To achieve this, WSDG implemented a room-within-a-room construction for complete isolation from the busy campus environment, a critical requirement given the room’s extensive glass façade facing a public courtyard. In addition, motorised acoustic banners and movable wall elements allow the room to adapt instantly from a tight speech-focused acoustic to a reverberant musical environment.
Lozano emphasises the technical ambition: “Music simply sounds better when the spatial volume is greater, that is why we have a three-storey-high studio. We can record full orchestras, large ensembles, or small chamber groups with first-class equipment.” The live room also features retractable seating, enabling intimate performances and screenings.
Attached to the live room is a fully equipped control room designed by WSDG to support Dolby Atmos and stereo workflows. The space features a monitoring system with Adam Audio studio monitors, custom diffusers, NC20-level isolation, and a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired interior palette that visually ties back to the main room. On the upper level, WSDG designed a Dolby Atmos film-mixing theatre, complete with ISO booth and educational cinema seating, creating an advanced facility enabling students to work with immersive, object-based audio. “This will allow us to produce audio for film and other audiovisual projects at the highest professional standard,” says Lozano.
WSDG’s design extends across the entire facility, including isolation booths, technical rooms, AV systems specification, interior materials, theatrical lighting support, and integration of a complex technical infrastructure hidden neatly within architectural elements, particularly the uneven ceilings engineered for low-frequency control and to discreetly house lighting and technology systems. “We followed strict standards appropriate for both professional studios and educational facilities,” Molho explains. “This project demanded the latest technology, advanced acoustic criteria, and a high level of coordination with the architects to honour both performance and aesthetics.”
Now fully built and with the systems integration complete, La Caja de Música stands as one of the most advanced educational music and film-sound facilities in Latin America. “This building will allow students to engage with both the music and audiovisual industries at a truly professional level,” says Lozano. “It represents a national milestone and will transform how we teach through a direct, project-based experience.”
Molho concludes: “For us, this project embodies the culmination of years of collaboration with Colombian institutions. It brings together architecture, acoustics, and technology in a way that will serve generations of students and creators. We’re very proud of what we achieved together.”
ABOUT WSDG
WSDG is an award-winning international firm specializing in Acoustics and AV Technology consulting and design. Founded by pioneering architect and acoustician John Storyk and multi-disciplinary designer Beth Walters, WSDG blends scientific rigor with artistic vision at the intersection of architecture, acoustics, and technology to create extraordinary sound environments. Beginning with Mr. Storyk's design of Jimi Hendrix's iconic Electric Lady Studios, notable WSDG projects include personal studios for Jack Antonoff, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen; landmark studio design, including Jungle Studios (NYC), Rue Boyer (Paris), Spotify (LA) and Church Studios (London) as well as technology and acoustic consulting for global media organizations including Beijing Film Academy, ESPN, Netflix, Sony, The National Museum of Qatar, and many more.
With a consolidated global leadership, offices in New York, Miami, Basel, and Berlin, and a worldwide network of representatives, WSDG continues to unlock the potential of sound by redefining acoustics in the arts, live entertainment, sports, education, and luxury residential fields.
For more information, visit www.wsdg.com.
Quotes attributed to Santiago Lozano have been translated from Spanish and sourced from the University of the Andes article “La Caja de Música: un espacio de innovación para la producción musical y audiovisual”. Architectural jury comments have been translated from the original article published by ArchDaily Colombia.