Harmonious design chosen for new Serbian cultural landmark

Following a year-long international competition led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Tenderstream member AL_A has been selected to design the new Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall. Located next to the historic Palace of Serbia in New Belgrade, the Hall will contain performance, rehearsal and creative spaces - including a symphonic concert hall with 1,600 seats. 

The UNDP launched the competition on behalf of the Government of Serbia, in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Culture and Information, City of Belgrade and the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra, targeting the world’s most renowned architecture firms. The competing designs were developed to a detailed brief drawn up by Tenderstream member Arup, who are also responsible for the Hall’s acoustic and theatrical design.

AL_A chose the landscape of the River Danube and the parkland setting as the design’s starting point, using water to reflect the building and the natural surroundings. The building and its new shared social space gather under a draping canopy that spans each venue within the Hall. This expressive form reflects music’s movement, while also creating a rippling effect that mirrors the dappled waters of river. By re-wilding the surrounding park, AL_A used the concept of harmony to create a balance between building and landscape.

The four main venues – a large performance hall, recital hall, creative hub and podium stage – each has a different character, celebrating various musical genres, attracting different audiences and encouraging diverse activities. The four venues encircle a social space that forms the heart of the Hall, with shared back stage facilities positioned below the newly created town square. 

Amanda Levete, principal of AL_A, stated: "You couldn’t dream of a better site than this to message Serbia’s vision for the future. The magnificent setting of Ušće Park, on the banks of the River Danube, sends a powerful message about transforming and rewilding our cities to make them greener, more beautiful spaces. The Concert Hall will be an expression of harmony between nature, architecture and music, at a pivot point in Europe where East meets West. It will be a place where people from all places and cultures, of all ages and abilities, come together to delight in music from every genre."

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 04.11.2020 here

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