Sverdlovsk Concert Hall competition winner announced
Earlier this year in Russia, a competition was launched to find a design for the new Sverdlovsk Concert Hall in Yekaterinburg, intented as a new home for the Ural Philharmonic Orchestra. The Orchestra’s charitable foundation assisted the regional Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure in organising the contest, which attracted submissions from 47 teams. Now, Zaha Hadid Architects has been announced as the winner, with a design that takes its cue from the properties of music to create an inspiring space for both users of the concert hall and visitors gathering in its public plaza.
The design echoes the disturbance of sound wave vibrations on a continuous, smooth surface, placing the new auditoria under deformations in a suspended canopy. This approach opens up the lobbies in order to provide a vibrant new gathering place for the local community. Dmitri Liss, principal conductor of the orchestra and competition jury member, emphasised the importance of harmony between the building’s design and the performances taking place inside, stating: “For musicians, this new hall is crucial. It will be a musical instrument that brings the sound to life.”
The hall will occupy space between the surrounding heritage buildings, with a transparent glass façade offering views of the renovated Weiner Gardens and a new amphitheatre for outdoor performances. The procession of interconnected public spaces continues throughout the building to its rooftop terrace, emphasising its function as a centre of the city’s civic, social and cultural life. Christos Passas, project director at Zaha Hadid Architects, elaborated on this open design approach, saying: “From very early in her career, Zaha was attracted to the Russian avant-garde, who conceived civic spaces as urban condensers that catalyse a public realm of activity to enrich creativity and community; allowing space itself to enhance our understanding and well-being. These principles are embedded within the design of the new Sverdlovsk Philharmonic Concert Hall.”
Lucy Nordberg
TenderStream Head of Research
This competition was first published on 18.04.2018 by TenderStream here
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