Vltava Philharmonic Hall

As part of an international design team alongside Barrozi Veiga, we created a project that took second place in a competition with 115 participants.
The romantic architecture of the new philharmonic hall is inspired by the dynamism of the metropolis, the flow of the river, and the rhythm of music. In our joint design, we focused primarily on the building’s context within Prague, as well as the design of the parterre and the riverfront. The building’s vertical form serves as a landmark in Prague’s skyline and brings a vibrant, permeable public space open toward the river to the Vltavská district.

Our aim was to shape one of the most significant cultural institutions, which is to be a strong, representative symbol and landmark, while also bringing values that would make the Philharmonic Hall a benchmark in European culture. The gently curved lines create the building’s distinctive silhouette, which engages in a dialogue with the city’s main landmark in the distance while also establishing a direct connection with the river. Situated centrally on the site, the building opens up in all directions and, like the river, introduces the concept of movement as a key element into the urban fabric. The characteristic curved surfaces of the façade transform the philharmonic hall into a dynamic element that, much like the shimmering surface of a flowing river, constantly changes depending on the incident light. The simple yet organic and distinctive form is created by a solid composition of individual elements that give shape and cohesion to the whole.