Key Development in Denmark, Europe

COOP HIMMELB(L)AU reveals final scheme design for the House of Music in Aalborg, Denmark Wolf D. Prix, Design Principal and CEO of COOP HIMMELB(L)AU presented today the final scheme design for the House of Music during a press conference at the Utzon Centre in Aalborg, Denmark in attendance of Mayor Henning G. Jensen, Director of Realdania Hans Peter Svendler and member of the City Council Henrik Thomson. House of Music Aalborg images © COOP HIMMELB(L)AU Within a close collaboration between the builder, Fonden Musikkens Hus i Nordjylland and COOP HIMMELB(L)AU the schematic design has been revised and finalized. Modifications in relation to the original layout presented in September 2008 comprise amongst others the large stairs leading up to the façade of the house fronting Limfjorden. Instead an open entrance at ground level has been created, located between sculptural building objects of the Foyer and Restaurant. The different volumes and surfaces create an architectural expression suited to the multi-functional and synergetic nature of the building. Wolf D. Prix stated: "Supreme architecture is only achieved by continuously refining the fundamental architectural principles. Therefore, the architecture of the House of Music is a living and very dynamic process." Concept of the House of Music COOP HIMMELB(L)AU’s design for The House of Music in Aalborg combines Cultural and Educational functions with shared public spaces, performance spaces and infrastructure in an open system enabling synergy and exchange between the public, artists, students and educators – a shared Hybrid space. Music, Creativity and Art are the centers of inspiration, both of the shared-synergetic behavior and of the form and expression of the architecture. Formal and informal encounters and exchanges are enabled via public spaces that are oriented towards the adjacent Culture Square and Fjord, and are designed to serve as interchange platforms connecting the semi-public and private functions of the multiple institutions housed within, and providing areas of exchange of information, knowledge and inspiration for the various residents and the public in the House of Music. House of Music Aalborg images © COOP HIMMELB(L)AU A 1,300 seat, world class, symphonic concert hall is at the core of a compact U-shaped block of music, educational and performance support spaces which wrap around the Main Hall on three sides. The Building composition opens to the north in a vertical public foyer with views over the fjord and adjacent Culture Square. Three additional halls of various sizes and functions complement the Main Hall and are organized below the Foyer in a vertical inversion of the classical front-of-house / back-of-house horizontal orientation, optimizing floor space and providing a lively vertical social space with a mix of users and visitors. House of Music in Aalborg images / information from COOP HIMMELB(L)AU