And the Impact of Art on a Thriving Community
High Note
Start the Music…
The historic U Street neighborhood in Washington D.C. is referred to by many as “Black Broadway”, as the former heart of the African-American arts community.
The impact that jazz music had on this part of the city can not be understated.
The High Note intends to become a symbol of that influence, a library truly consumed by the music of the past.
High Note (Fall 2023)
The High Note is a music research library on the corner of U and 14th street in Washington.
U Street, commonly referred to as "Black Broadway", was once the center of African-American art and entertainment.
Jazz music was the single largest influence on the arts district, which attracted the nation's best performers such as Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.
High Note aims to infuse the life and liveliness of jazz music back into this part of the city, showcasing the beauty and musical genius that was once the pride and joy of U Street.
The ground floor of the music library begins with a tall grand lobby, which gives way to a small cafe and the first of the building's main reading rooms.
Climbing to the second story via the grand stair, visitors gain access to several more private areas to read including an outdoor porch dotted with whimsical musical symbolism.
The third story is dedicated to the enjoyment of music itself. Listening stations on both halves of the building are connected by a uniquely shaped skybridge, the High Note's namesake.
Staff rooms and offices are held on the fourth story of the building, granting employees of the library spectacular views through auspicious curved window walls.
From above, it appears as though a music note has fallen from the sky, sunk and ingrained itself into the new construction.
The impact of the note carries down through the entire building, from the impressive skybridges down to some of the custom-designed "instrument" furniture.
The High Note is very intentional and literal in its usage of music as a visual theme. There is no mistaking how important jazz music is to this library, and this neighborhood.