studio makal proposes lithuanian national concert hall enclosed in a forest of columns

as home to lithuania’s two key symphony orchestras, there was a need for a new premier venue with global standards in acoustics that vilnius lacked for some time. studio makal responded to the proposal with a new national concert hall amidst the elevated site. the concert hall is located on tauras hill in the city center of vilnius and features prominently within its urban landscape. a popular destination for locals, the building towers over the city where the trade union palace currently stands.

studio makal‘s proposal celebrates the lithuanian identity formed through the crucible of their struggles for freedom across the turbulent years of nation-building. numerous columns enclose the main building form to create a cage-like impression, representing the repression that the nation faced. the entrance into the hall is formed by peeling away the cage-like columns, pulling away from the strict repetition to allow visitors to peer into the passion of the lithuanian people incubated over the many years.

the two domes within, housing the performance halls, represent the budding creativity and energy of the people to be freed from their restraints. in recognition of the significance of the public realms (former vilnius evangelical cemetery and lukiškės square), the proposal reinforces the connection artery and the visual connectivity between the two realms. this uninterrupted link is supported by public spaces such as playground and cafes.

upon entering, the main foyer was designed to be column free, and used as a space for hosting pre and post show. the adjacent main concert hall has a horseshoe layout for best acoustics performance with a total of 1,558 seats that are spread across the lower and upper parterre. the other theater is a a 500-seat small hall, slated to host a variety of performances like theater, dance productions and national conferences. retractable seats are incorporated to cater to a myriad of needs.

the café within the building is strategically located at the west to maximize solar gain, and to provide a pleasant leisure space. the plaza in the south also offers al fresco dining when the weather permits. the proposed landscape  feature curved pathways, which represent lithuanian’s freedom and the celebration of their national identity as a sovereign nation. 

project info:

architect: studio makal

acoustics consultant: radiant acoustics

mep consultant: seed engineering

structural consultant: edp consulting group

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: cristina gomez | designboom