zaha hadid architects to build soundwave-inspired philharmonic concert hall in russia

zaha hadid architects has been selected by the jury of an international design competition to build the new sverdlovsk philharmonic concert hall in yekaterinburg, russia. echoing the physical aspects of sound waves, the design is based on the properties of musical sound resonance creating wave vibrations in a continuous smooth surface.

all images and video by VA, courtesy of zaha hadid architects

zaha hadid architects’ design re-interprets these physical acoustic properties to define spaces for the auditoria, which includes a 1,600-seat concert hall and a 400-seat chamber music hall. these spaces are nestled within the surface deformations of the suspended canopy, appearing to float above the new civic plaza that is both the lobby of the philharmonic concert hall and an enclosed urban square.

the philharmonic concert hall will be built in the russian city of yekaterinburg

the lobby serves not only as an introduction to the world of symphony music, but also as a welcoming public plaza for all members of its local community. large glazed facades blur the boundary between interior and exterior; inviting visitors to experience the spaces within.

a sheltered public space is formed outside of the building

‘russia has been a formative influence on zaha hadid architects’ creative work‘, says christos passas, project director at zaha hadid architects. ‘from very early in her career, zaha was attracted to the russian avant-garde who conceived civic spaces as urban condensers that catalyze a public realm of activity to enrich creativity and community; allowing space itself to enhance our understanding and well-being. these principles are embedded within the design of the new sverdlovsk philharmonic concert hall.’

the lobby serves as a welcoming public plaza for the local community

zaha hadid architects was selected from 47 international teams who submitted proposals. the design competition was organized by the ministry of construction and infrastructure development of the sverdlovsk region, with the assistance of the charitable foundation for support of the ural philharmonic orchestra.

the space also serves as an introduction to the world of symphony music

the existing sverdlovsk philharmonic building dates back to 1936 and is very well attended throughout the year. the orchestra’s new home seeks to provide an inspirational venue to meet the increasing popularity of the orchestra’s program of concerts — and also create a new public plaza for the city.

the 1,600-seat concert hall

the venue’s 400-seat chamber music hall

the design is based on the properties of musical sound resonance

zaha hadid architects was selected ahead of 46 other international teams

project info:

architect: zaha hadid architects (ZHA)
ZHA principal: patrik schumacher
ZHA design director: christos passas
ZHA project architect: alessio costantino
ZHA design lead: ben kikkawa, melhem sfeir, zsuzsanna barat, afsoon es haghi
ZHA design team: duo chen, christina christodoulidou, anna uborevich-borovskaya, ekaterina smirnova, aleksandar bursac, alicia hidalgo lopez, maria-eleni bali, eckart schwerdtfeger, maria avrami, valeria perco, sattor jabbor
ZHA senior interior designer: sonia renehan
ZHA cultural researcher: vera kichanova
ZHA administrator: nastasija hahonina
ZHA project consultant: liudmila harrison-jones
ZHA graphic design: silviya barzakova
ZHA videography: henry virgin

local architect: SPEECH (moscow); sergey tchoban, marina kuznetskaya, daria demidova
structural engineering: AKT II (london); daniel bosia
MEP engineering: atelier 10 (london); meredith davey, ivan jovanovich, piers watts-jones, younha rhee
façade engineering: OPTIMISE (london); scott cahill, adam willetts, tim macfarlane (glass light and special structure)
landscape design: ARTEZA (moscow); irina chebanenko
theatre consultant: theatre projects (london); david staples, dave agnes
acoustic engineering design: marshall-day (melbourne, hong kong); peter fearnside, peter exton, thomas scelo
lighting design: OVI (new york); enrique peininger, jean sundin and markus fuerderer