South Bohemian Philharmonic

Year2021

CategoryInterior

LocationČeské Budějovice

StatusCompleted

The main idea behind the reconstruction of the Philharmonic was to restore to the building, originally designed as a church, its original spatial purity, simplicity and dignity. The design therefore removes later heavy-handed interventions that suppressed the character of the original hall and replaces them with lighter, more precise elements that allow the proportions, structure and verticality of the interior to stand out once again.

An important part of the transformation is also the new acoustic solution, integrated so as not to restrict the perception of the vaulted space.

The character of the hall is based on a limited palette of materials and colours – wood, white and black – complemented by suspended acoustic canopies, a new balcony and wooden acoustic elements. The whole thus combines respect for the original architecture with the demands of contemporary concert use, creating a calm, focused space in which original features such as the round window and the vaulted ceiling stand out once more.

Acoustics	AVETON
Design team	Martin Krupauer Pavel Kvintus Martin Sedmák Petr Hornát Stanislava Blažková Rita Correia Karolína Tuřínčinová

Lightness and Acoustics

The austere lines are complemented by light acoustic canopies suspended beneath the ceiling. For acoustic purposes, oval panels are suspended from the ceiling at various angles and positions so as to preserve the feeling and openness of the vaulted ceiling.

An acoustic timber cladding is designed for the rear wall, reflecting the verticality of the organ.

New Elements in the Original Space

The balcony is designed as a symmetrical wooden element inserted into the space as a simple, clean form. The new balcony also made it possible to create a more spacious entrance to the hall.

The side balcony has been replaced by a simple opening that can be used on special occasions.

In this simply designed space, the church’s original round window also stands out better, contributing significantly to the atmosphere of the interior.

Wood, Black and White

The newly added interior elements are made of wood, while the original shape of the hall and the acoustic panels beneath the ceiling remain white. The surface of the walls is modelled mainly by the shadows cast by the acoustic panels.

All recessed niches, such as doors and windows, are painted black to make the main lines of the concert hall stand out even more.