17 March 2025
Danish studio BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group will present a detailed architectural study of the Vltava Philharmonic in February 2024. On the basis of this, design work can begin, which should lead to the start of the actual construction within three years. The current status of the study was presented in Prague by BIG founder and creative director Bjarke Ingels.
The detailed study develops the competition proposal with which BIG won an international competition a year and a half ago. "The Vltava Philharmonic is composed as a meandering path from the riverbank to the roof terrace. Streams of public and Prague's belvedere squares connect urban life with the music at its heart. Prague's halls are created landmarks to behold, tuned for sound, orchestrated for function and for connecting people. From this rhythmic structure, a symphony of colonnades and balconies emerges as a platform for public life. Expressive and pragmatic, the new philharmonic will become a key landmark in Prague. From the river to the roof," describes Bjarke Ingels, who presented the architectural study in person, first on 24 January at the Centre for Architecture and Urban Planning in an Urban Talks lecture and then a day later at a press conference.
"Experts from all over the world worked on completing the architectural study. During the refinement, they responded to the comments of the competition jury, but also the general public, who actively participated in the process of modifying the design. Compared to the original design, the final project will have an order of magnitude more green spaces and will significantly strengthen the connection to the river," says Petr Hlaváček, Prague's Deputy Mayor for Territorial Development. ‘The Vltava Philharmonic will not only be a new concert hall, it will become an open cultural and educational centre that will serve the public.’
"The detailed architectural study is a major milestone for us. On its basis, the design work and obtaining all the necessary permits needed to start the actual construction in 2027, which will be a top example of world-class architecture and a new icon of Prague," adds Martin Krupauer, head of the Vltava Philharmonic project team, who is managing the project on behalf of the capital city and negotiating with both BIG and the future users of the Vltava Philharmonic. It is scheduled to open in 2032.
The public will be able to see the new visualizations, a video with views from the roof of the building, or the project in 3D reality until 18 February at CAMP as part of an exhibition dedicated to the Vltava Philharmonic.
Photo: Martin Malý
