Our design for the National Concert Hall creates a new landmark for the city of Vilnius that not only features state-of-the-art acoustics, but also serves as a unique cultural center for both residents and visitors. This striking multipurpose building can be seen from miles away on its prominent Taurus Hill site and the architecture strives to do this high-profile location justice, taking inspiration from its surroundings in the external structure and throughout the interior space.
The entire complex is accessed through a ramp system that presents as a single continuous path, first winding its way up to the top of Taurus Hill along serpentine paths and then circling through the building itself. Open to the general public, the path reaches its climax on the roof terrace where visitors have unparalleled views of the old town and the architectural heritage of Vilnius.
This artistic and cultural center is accessible from all sides in an open and welcoming gesture, with additional visitor attractions in the neighboring art galleries, restaurants, open terraces and a sprawling park.
At the building’s core sits the large concert hall, which has been specifically designed to provide optimum acoustic conditions. The traditional shoebox shape has been specially modified to enhance the dynamic range of the music; the contours and materials evoke a musical instrument. A second smaller concert hall is placed in dialectical context to its larger counterpart and its multipurpose floor plan is designed for maximum flexibility in this neutral black box space.
Competition:
Specialist planners:
Müller-BBM GmbH, Planegg (Acoustics)
Knippers Helbig GmbH, Stuttgart (Structural design)
Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH, München (Energy planning)
hhpberlin Ingenieure für Brandschutz, München (Fireproofing)
Matthes Max Modellbau GmbH, München (Model making)
Visualization:
April Studios, München
