translucent spires form barozzi veiga's szczecin philharmonic

in the heart of szczecin, poland, barcelona-based barozzi veiga celebrates the recent opening of the city’s new philharmonic. the massive building responds to traditional local architecture with vertical proportions and steep pitches as well as the nearby industrial influence with its shear scale. the entire exterior wrapped in translucent glass sits as an obvious contrast to the immediate surroundings in order to become a reference point in the area and a symbol of the city’s transitional nature.  

street view
image © simon menges

the building contains two concert halls conceived of as two suspended boxes forming in between them a large open lobby lit by skylights. the 951-seat symphonic hall and 195-seat chamber hall are built entirely of concrete for optimum acoustic isolation and light control. a central staircase forms an experiential promenade connecting all the functions and terminating into a large multifunctional space. the iconic double skin system of the shell also serves several important purposes. the two layers create a uniform look across all facades, providing a constant glow of diffused natural light. the air space between the membranes is naturally ventilated to filter out heat and control interior temperatures.

(left) lobby space; (right) symphony hall view from the stage
image © simon menges

symphony hall view of the stage
image © simon menges

inauguration show
image © simon menges

seating detail showing a rear skylight
image © simon menges

aerial view
image © simon menges

construction photos
image © radek kurzaj

image © radek kurzaj

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project info:

address: małopolska 48, szczecin. poland
authors: barozzi / veiga, fabrizio barozzi , alberto veiga
project leaders: pieter janssens, agnieszka samsel
project team: marta grządziel, isak mayor, petra jossen, cristina lucena, cristina porta, ruben sousa
local architect: studio a4 sp. z o.o., jacek lenart
structural engineers: boma s.l., fort polska sp. z o.o.
installations: gla engineering sp. z o.o.; elseco sp. z o.o.; anoche iluminación arquitectónica
acoustics: arau acustica
facade: ferrés arquitectos y consultores
general contractor: warbud s.a.
site area: 3.800 m2
usable floor area: 13.000 m2
volume: 98.200 m3
concert halls audience: symphony hall 951, chamber hall 192
competition: 2007
project: 2009
construction: 2014
budget: 118.918.000 zloty (aprox. 30.000.000 euro)
photos: simon menges, radek kurzaj (construction site)