henning larsen architects: harpa concert hall and conference centre

olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007 eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects

danish firm henning larsen architects‘s design of the new reykjavik concert and conference centre is underway for an early opening next year. ‘harpa‘ will become home to the iceland symphony orchestra and the icelandic opera, becoming a major addition to the region’s cultural scene. as a part of reykjavik’s revitalization plan of the eastern harbour, the long term objective of the project is to add a new downtown plaza, a hotel, residential buildings, educational institutions and mixed industries on the surrounding grounds.

the 28,000 m2 complex features an abstract, honeycomb-like facade made out of glass and steel. designed in collaboration with danish-icelandic artist olaf eliasson, the hexagonal windows were influenced by crystallized basalt columns commonly found in iceland. the south side features a system of multi-coloured LED lights (the most ever used in any construction in the world) which will make ‘harpa’ glow during the night. the three-dimensional window blocks of the south facade will also create kaleidoscopic reflections of the city and the surrounding landscape.

rendering of the north facade olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007 eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects

the hexagonal glass building blocks of the south side olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007 eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects

conceived by artec consultants inc, the acoustics of the the facilities are flexible, allowing the space to adapt to different events by changing the resonance frequency of the hall. the removable and stackable seating also allows for a variety of configuration.

concert hall olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007 eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects

rehearsal hall olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007 eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects

west facade in construction olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010 eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects; photo: © osbjørn jacobsen

hexagonal windows olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010 eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects; photo: © osbjørn jacobsen

olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010 eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects; photo: © osbjørn jacobsen

south facade in construction olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010 eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects; photo: © osbjørn jacobsen

construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010 eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland expected completion date: 2011 © portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects; photo: © studio olafur eliasson