CHYBIK + KRISTOF and mecanoo envisioned prague philharmonic as an urban ribbon

the entry by chybik + Kristof and mecanoo

CHYBIK + KRISTOF + Mecanoo unveil the competition entry for Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague. The team, which has offices in Prague, designed the project to meet 21st century standards for symphonic music concerts, with the development of modern construction and exceptional acoustic design of the halls, the proposed building addresses the need for an integrated cultural and social hub that compliments Czech history and culture, and simultaneously responds to the contemporary needs of the city.

While the winner of the competition was ultimately announced as Bjarke Ingels Group (see designboom’s coverage here), the architects at CHYBIK + KRISTOF are currently working on the Ostrava Tower nearby, which will become the tallest skyscraper in the Czech Republic.

image © Mangoshake Studio

an urban ribbon for prague

The design of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall by CHK (see here) and Mecanoo (see here) integrates the theater into the existing landscape of Prague. creating seamless urban implementation. In articulating the active part of the building’s program towards the urban environment, the architects propose a diverse mix of public urban spaces, including a transformed waterfront, a square, a courtyard, and a newly shaped boulevard, aligning with Prague’s unique topography and ensuring long-term economic sustainability and commercial development. 

The ‘urban ribbon’ wraps two separate cylindrical-shaped halls and forms an open-air amphitheater, connecting the lobby and open stage for cultural events. Located at the right of Vltava’s embankment, the main hall offers a unique visual experience for its visitors, and along with its structural engineering concept enhances the experience and quality of the architectural scheme. 

image © Plomp

inside the proposed philharmonic

The main five-story Prague philharmonic hall by Mecanoo and CHK is composed of the major hall stage level, its balconies, and the foyer. This space supports a panoramic rooftop with a restaurant and bistro which is open to the general public. The second smaller hall is intentionally located outside the view of the dominance of the church towers responding to the HOLKA footbridge for pedestrians. A uniform urban carpet connects the site to its surrounding, creating a maximized pedestrian public space.

Emphasizing the combination of wood and the glass façade as its material, the hall is notable for its acoustic concept, designed by Nagata Acoustics (see here), one of the leading acousticians in the world. The architectural form of the building enforces the perfect acoustic instrument as the great hall creates a clear transmission of sound from the performers to the audience by manipulating the dimensions and interior shaping of the space. 

image © Mecanoo
image courtesy Mecanoo
image © Plomp

project info:

project title: Vltava Philharmonic Hall

architecture: CHYBIK + KRISTOF, Mecanoo

location: Prague, Czech Republic

acoustic design: Nagata Acoustics

engineering: Buro Happold, AED project
traffic concept: John Henley
cost calculations: Martin Růžička
art consultancy: Pavel Karous 
program consultancy: Petr Kalousek
visualizations: Plomp, Mangoshake Studio, CHYBIK + KRISTOF, Mecanoo

design team: Ondrej Chybík, Michal Krištof, Francine Houben, Nuno Fontarra, Rodrigo Bandini Dos Santos, Jiří Vala, Ingrid Spáčilová, Eliška Morysková, Ondrej Mičuda, Tomáš Wojtek, Vadim Shaptala, Tomáš Babka, Daniele Delgrosso, Victor Serbanescu, Omar El Hassan, Selin Gulsen, Pieter Hoen, Isabella Banfi, Dario Castro, Mattia Cavaglieri, Aydan Suleymanli, Alessandro Luporino