atelier thomas pucher's sinfonia varsovia center slated to open in 2020

atelier thomas pucher’s sinfonia varsovia center slated to open in 2020
all images © atelier thomas pucher

in 2010, the sinfonia varsovia ochestra held an open competition to create a main municipal concert hall. the conceptual building was required to house 1,800 seats, as well as adapt the sites numerous historical structures. 137 international competitors entered, and in the end the bid was won by austria’s atelier thomas pucher. slated for completion by 2020, their design features a symphonic hall with world-class acoustics, as well as the required seat count, large rehearsal areas, hospitality and merchandise facilities, and the main campus of the sinfonia varsovia musical academy. 

seemingly free-formed bands of seats fill the symphony hall

the complex conditions of the brief led the studio to design a distinct floating wall around the entire site. aside from enveloping the site in its entirety, it facilitated the creation of a central courtyard. the park functions as public space and a distinctive area of silence that aids the location’s dramatic atmosphere. contained within the wall is the symphony hall and all rehearsal areas, multiple hidden rooms and stairs, a narrow surveillance path, and outlooks to the surrounding areas.

a floating wall encloses the entire site

the concert hall is a fusion of the ‘shoebox’ and ‘arena’ performance types. while the traditional ‘shoebox’ is still the best in terms of acoustics, the design lacks severely in stage visibility. the ‘arena’ on the other hand is developed solely for ideal views and dramatic atmosphere. combining the two creates an immersive auditorium, tailored for the orchestra and audience alike. architecturally, the space was created by taking the rectangular shape of the ‘shoebox’ and inserting seemingly free-formed bands of balconies. flow of the seats, in addition to the time-proven structure is perfect for the development of acoustics. 

the wall facilitated the creation of a massive interior park

rendering of seat structure

interior of the hall

view of the wall from outside the facility

the sinfonia varsovia musical academy’s main campus is located in the site’s historical buildings

the concept within eastern warsaw, poland 

organization of services

floor plan 

 
sectional

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