BIG create new home for Vltava Philharmonic

The City of Prague has unveiled Tenderstream member BIG’s design for the new Vltava Philharmonic Hall, which will become the home to the city’s world-class philharmonic orchestra. With an audience capacity of more than 18,000, the hall will celebrate the Czech music tradition and cement the country’s cultural importance in Europe. The proposal was chosen among a total of 19 anonymous global entries, including invited proposals from Snøhetta, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield Architects, SANAA and Tenderstream member Diller Scofidio + Renfro.

Located at the intersection between the Vltava riverfront and Prague’s Cultural Mile, the building connects the Old Town’s traditional cultural scene with the Holešovice neighborhood’s modern art district. BIG’s design for the hall ascends from the Vltava River to the skyline of Prague, with a series of grand public plazas set to become new symbols of inclusive architecture. Brian Yang, BIG partner in charge, stated: “The new Vltava Philharmonic Hall will be a symbol of openness, accessibility, and exploration. From the Vltava square, streets ascend upward connecting interior balconies with exterior colonnades and terraces.”  

By raising and lowering the corners of the building at multiple touch points, the public spaces connect and allow activities to spill both inside and outside. The roofs are conceived as a continuation of the public plaza, allowing visitors to reach the building’s summit. In the foyer, guests are greeted by a striking interior inspired by Czech Glass Artists which lead them to the music venues. Arranged like petals of a pinecone turned inside out, the seats of Prague Hall are arranged in a square, with raked seating that meets at each corners to allow physical connectivity between each seat.

Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Partner, BIG, said: “On a personal note, this project may be one of the most important for me as an architect and as a Dane...For Prague we have attempted to imagine a building that is inspired by the journey of its namesake River and informed by the three-dimensional complexity of its very urban site. The result is a three-dimensional public space – part musical instrument, part logistical machine, part topography, part sculpture. I truly hope this project can grow to become a beloved space for the citizens of Czech Republic and a welcome addition to the iconic silhouette the city of Prague.” 

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

This tender was first published by Tenderstream on 21.07.2021 here

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