Steven Holl and Architecture Acts win competition for new Ostrava concert hall
by Andy Knaggs | 10 Jul 2019
The Czech city of Ostrava is to have a new concert hall designed by Steven Holl Architects and Prague-based Architecture Acts following an international competition.
The structure will create a tension between new and old, with the new building sitting astride the city's existing House of Culture.
The 1,300-seat concert hall, which is expected to open in 2023, was designed as a "perfect acoustic instrument in its case" in collaboration with Nagata Acoustics.
The hall is positioned at the rear of the building and facing a park, which shields it from urban traffic noise. At the front, a new entrance rises over the top of the House of Culture into a sky-lit lobby for the new hall.
Clad in zinc, the "instrument case" roof holds its conceptual "instrument" a structure made of concrete and maple. The concert hall's interior features acoustic wall panels organised in a rhythm which is based on Czech composer Leoš Janáček's theories of timing.
It is the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra that will use the new building as a performance space.
One jury member, Krzysztof Ingarden, commented: "It's a fantastic piece of architecture, considering very well the relationship between the City of Ostrava and the park behind the existing building. I believe the winning project will be an emblematic piece of architecture for Ostrava, revitalising the city as well."
Steven Holl Architects Architecture Acts Ostrava Ostrava Concert Hall Czech Nagata Acoustics
Steven Holl and Architecture Acts' design was supported by six of the seven jury members Credit: Steven Holl Architects
The concert hall faces a park at the rear of the building, dampening traffic noise Credit: Steven Holl Architects
The entrance climbs over the top of Ostrava's House of Culture into a sky-lit lobby Credit: Steven Holl Architects
The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra will perform at the 1,300-seat concert hall Credit: Steven Holl Architects
The entrance takes visitors above the House of Culture into a sky-lit lobby Credit: Steven Holl Architects
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FEATURE: Interview – Steven Holl
The Czech city of Ostrava is to have a new concert hall designed by Steven Holl Architects and Prague-based Architecture Acts following an international competition. The structure will create a tension between new and old, with the new building sitting astride the city's existing House of Culture. The 1,300-seat concert hall, which is expected to open in 2023, was designed as a "perfect acoustic instrument in its case" in collaboration
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