Warsaw, Poland

Warsaw Philharmonic

An instrument for Sinfonia Varsovia

The axis-based composition of the five existing buildings is the historic and architectural framework for the new Warsaw Concert Hall. The Concert Hall building will add a new layer to the composition. The vision is that old and new buildings enrich each other architecturally and functionally by preserving existing and adding new qualities. The axis-based composition is expanded in a simple and respectful way, by placing the new Concert Hall at the northern end of the site between buildings

”Inspired by music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound. Musical sounds mesmerize our senses, waken emotions, highlight the diversity of life and reflect the development of our cultures. To create music the musician plays an instrument, an instrument designed to create musical sound. The idea is to design the new Philharmonic in Warszawa like an instrument. An instrument for Sinfonia Varsovia. An instrument inspired by the shapes of classical instruments and by the elements of music – rhythm, harmony, melody, structure, form and texture. An instrument that is also inspired by the physical nature of sound itself- travelling waves that are an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a medium.”

New and existing avenues of trees create an entrance to the Philharmonic Park. The layers of trees form a filter between the busy street to the Philharmonic Park and are the first transition of sound and atmosphere towards the Philharmonic Hall. The second is from the park and foyer space to the Philharmonic Hall. The tranquillity of the Philharmonic Park around the Concert Building is further enhanced by its location at the quiet north end of the site. One renewed square in front of building A and one new square in front of the new Concert Building span the site from east to west in order to improve the connection across the site and create a clear entrance and access to the Concert Building from both Terepolska, Grochowska and the park. You enter under the avenues of trees shielding off the busy streets. The soft waves of sound made by the pavement guide you towards the Concert Building. Like strings on a musical instrument the building seems to vibrate as music is played – yet it is frozen. Like sound is essential for the location of the Concert Building and the layout of the renewed green park, it is also essential for the Concert Building it self. The vision is to make a building that exudes music visually, functionally and acoustically. Its form follows its function.

As a contrast to the old buildings, the dynamic shapes makes the new Concert Building stand out as the new, central building. The waving shape of the Concert Building softens the historical axis without breaking it and it creates a vibrating space between the new and old buildings. The waves also create spaces along the facade towards the Philharmonic Park by moving forwards and backwards. The spaces mark the main entrance and create a pocket with outdoor service from the café. The area is ideally located facing south and with a view towards the park and the old main building. The area will be visible from both Park Obwodu Praga Armii Krajowej and Terespolska, inviting people into the site. The Concert Building is scaled to match the existing buildings in order to create a homogeneous set of buildings in the park. The Concert Building basically consists of three volumes: a low two-storey volume, the Philharmonic Hall and the large rehearsal room. The low volume matches buildings B and C in height and create a transition to the large volume of the Philharmonic Hall.

As the flowing forms guide you though the park, they guide you around the building from the foyer with box office and cloakroom towards the philharmonic hall or towards the large orchestra room. The flowing forms continuously shift your vision between foyer and park – between inside and outside blending the two together. The curved strings intensify as you get closer towards the philharmonic hall where the forms originate. It’s the epicentre of the music and the shapes. From here they travel and guide you though the building and the site, making navigation inside the building clear- both as a guest and as a professional musician.

Europaconcorsi Beta

﻿Warsaw Philharmonic

Warsaw Philharmonic