The Prague city government recently announced that the international design competition for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall was won by the Danish studio BIG. This new concert hall is intended to become a cultural landmark in Prague, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a European cultural capital.
The design features a simple, bold block that integrates seamlessly with the complex terrain along the Vltava River bank. Visitors will be invited to explore a series of public squares connected by gently sloping roofs, allowing them to walk from the riverbank up to the rooftops while enjoying panoramic views of Prague’s historic city center.
In this competition, the Spanish firm Barozzi Veiga teamed with local studio Atelier M1 to claim second place. Third and fourth places went to Bevk Perović Arhitekti and Petr Hájek Architekti respectively, while Snøhetta placed fifth.
Bjarke Ingels, architect and partner at BIG, explains that the building’s roofs have distinct sharp edges that either rise or dip, creating a dynamic series of staggered and interconnected eaves. Below these roofs, a colonnade is arranged with a unique rhythm that supports the cantilevered structure and reflects the orchestra’s harmonious melodies.
The underside of the roof will be clad in Bohemian forest wood, bringing warmth from the exterior into the interior spaces. These wooden surfaces will foster informal gathering areas and spaces for artistic performances, creating a welcoming and organic atmosphere.
The winning design includes three distinct halls: the Vltava Hall as the main concert venue, alongside the more intimate Prague and Horranswice Halls. The seating in Prague Hall fans outward like pine cones, ensuring excellent sightlines for every audience member.
The warm wooden interiors will enhance a sense of intimacy and provide balanced acoustic qualities throughout the spaces, creating an ideal environment for musical performances.
The Vltava Philharmonic Hall will serve as the new home for two orchestras: the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK and the Czech Philharmonic. The performance spaces are designed to be versatile, accommodating a wide array of events ranging from contemporary music and theatrical productions to digital exhibitions.
Future design phases will focus on maximizing the use of outdoor areas and expanding educational programs affiliated with the orchestras, aiming to engage a broader audience.
“This project is personally significant for me as a Danish architect,” says Bjarke Ingels, founder and partner of BIG. “Jørn Utzon, Denmark’s national hero, not only created iconic works at home but also designed the world-famous Sydney Opera House. He showed how modern architecture can embody cultural identity and revive design traditions. Even amidst the international style’s ‘modern box’ trend, architecture can express local character and global imagination.
For Prague, we envisioned a building inspired by the Vltava River itself, integrating the city’s complex three-dimensional texture into the design.”
The international design competition for the Vltava Philharmonic Concert Hall was organized by the city of Prague and the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague). The competition attracted 115 teams from 25 countries, including five renowned architectural studios invited to participate directly.
The jury selected 19 finalists and awarded five prizes based on design excellence and innovation.
The winning proposal envisions the Philharmonic Hall as the centerpiece of the new Bubny Zátory district, setting a cultural and architectural landmark for the area.
The second-place design by Barozzi Veiga and Atelier M1 features a compact, sculptural form. Third prize winner Bevk Perović Arhitekti uses layered glass curtain walls to soften the building’s exterior contours.
Meanwhile, CHYBIK+KRISTOF (CHK) and Mecanoo Architects, also invited competitors, wrapped the volumes of the concert halls with ribbon-like elements, creating an open-air circular theater at the core of their design.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up