Neo-gothic ornaments and Classicist volumes melt together, creating an outstanding object shaped by its context.

Designed by the spanish studio Barozzi Veiga, the Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin was awarded the Mies van der Rohe Award 2015.

Perfectly integrated in the city, the Philharmonic hall is also able to emerge as a new addition.

That’s because of the glass: the transparent and translucent cladding transform its mass and its volume in a light, evanescent structure… a sort of ice palace. Moreover, glowing at night, the ribbed-glass somehow softens the building’s strict geometry.

The interiors are very simple and sophisticated at the same time.

Only the main hall shows a more expressive design, especially in its ceiling, which is characterized by a geometrical pattern that follows the Fibonacci sequence. Fragmentation becomes more and more intense the further it gets from the scene, realizing a mineral-like object, covered by gold-leaf: a way to recall the classical tradition.

The foyer is so wide that can also be used to host events.

Large skylights let in plenty of natural light, which spreads through the interiors thanks to the white walls. A spiral staircase and a continuous path lead to the various event rooms  that include several auditoriums, a 1000-seat concert hall , a 200-seat venue for chamber-music, conference rooms and galleries.

Shaped by memory and covered in glass, the Philharmonic Hall in Szczecin makes this magic possible: the building just belongs to its context, yet it’s impossible not to notice it.

Photo by
Barozzi Veiga
Hufton and Crow
Simon Menges