Weekend Plus Desk :
The Hamburg’s new concert hall that took over ten years and probably cost way more than its pre-decided budget, was surely worth the wait. According to the official website the foundation stone of the building was laid on April 2, 2007 and completed hall can seat 2,100 people. Designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the concert hall named Elbphilharmonie, cost over €800 million.
Now, what is incredible about this concert hall is the fact that both the architects along with Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyotahave used algorithms to create 10,000 unique acoustic panels in the auditorium. The central auditorium is made up of gypsum fiber panels and each panel consists of one million cells that line the ceilings, walls and balustrades. When sound waves hit the cells of these panels, the sound is either absorbed or reverberate throughout the hall by these cells. Interestingly, no two panels absorb or scatter the sound waves in a similar way, however they together create a harmonious and balanced audio that can be heard from every corner of the auditorium.
The extraordinary interiors are matched with an equally alluring exterior. The building is in the form of waves and giant sequin cover the roof. It features 1,000 plate-glass panels that change colour as per light. The building rises above the Elbe River and is the tallest building in town. Even though it took so much more time than its original plan, this building is a beautiful tribute to both music and architecture. n
The Hamburg’s new concert hall that took over ten years and probably cost way more than its pre-decided budget, was surely worth the wait. According to the official website the foundation stone of the building was laid on April 2, 2007 and completed hall can seat 2,100 people. Designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the concert hall named Elbphilharmonie, cost over €800 million.
Now, what is incredible about this concert hall is the fact that both the architects along with Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyotahave used algorithms to create 10,000 unique acoustic panels in the auditorium. The central auditorium is made up of gypsum fiber panels and each panel consists of one million cells that line the ceilings, walls and balustrades. When sound waves hit the cells of these panels, the sound is either absorbed or reverberate throughout the hall by these cells. Interestingly, no two panels absorb or scatter the sound waves in a similar way, however they together create a harmonious and balanced audio that can be heard from every corner of the auditorium.
The extraordinary interiors are matched with an equally alluring exterior. The building is in the form of waves and giant sequin cover the roof. It features 1,000 plate-glass panels that change colour as per light. The building rises above the Elbe River and is the tallest building in town. Even though it took so much more time than its original plan, this building is a beautiful tribute to both music and architecture. n
