UNStudio composes angular volumes for beethoven festspielhaus

UNStudio composes angular volumes for beethoven festspielhaus
all images courtesy of beethoven festspielhaus

the design competition for ‘beethoven festspielhaus‘ called upon a strong list of international architecture offices in hopes of generating compelling and relevant proposals for a facility in bonn, germany, dedicated to the influential composer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. included in this invited roster was amsterdam-based UNStudio, who envisioned a building composed of angular volumes assembled around its central concert hall. the scheme did not permit them into the shortlist, which is made of three firms that are currently detailing their plans for the jury’s final decision process in 2015.

the building composes heavy angular volumes infilled with a glass curtain wall envelope

the unified building alternates heavy volumes of concrete and stone with transparent glass-clad sections. the result expresses an open relationship to the public, by allowing for a close connection between interiors and the surrounding plaza areas, which extend to the adjacent rhine river. the scheme utilizes a ‘shoebox’ concert hall typology, which features plentiful daylight filtered into the space.

the roofscape features a large terrace and skylight above the concert hall

the architects sought to reference the ‘richness and intensity’ of beethoven’s compositions, with founding partner ben van berkel stating that, ‘the visitor experiences architecture captured in a frozen symphony.’

the scheme utilizes a ‘shoebox’ concert hall typology