WEAVE: PROPOSAL FOR VILNIUS NATIONAL CONCERT HALL IN LITHUANIA

IDEA

Exceptional symphonic music based on the national traditions is born only by weaving together tradition, professionalism, meaning of place and a thorough understanding of symphony.

WEAVE – the architectural image of the Lithuanian National Concert Hall’s volume is based on this combination.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPT

The National Concert Hall WEAVE is a contemporary wooden architecture characterized by:

-          clear functional structure,

-          memorable image, the National Concert Hall should become a symbol of Lithuanian culture,

-          easily visible/recognizable within the city,

-          a volume that naturally grows out of the site,

-          exposition of the load-bearing wooden construction,

-          use of environmentally friendly materials,

-          positive example of sustainable public architecture,

-          integrated green areas,

-          visual and physical openness,

-          multifunctionality, simultaneously attending to the needs of professional musicians and the Sound Garden visitors,

-          Flexibility and effective use of interior spaces – the galleries can be used for exhibitions, educational activities, popup events (educational activities - temporary exhibitions, gatherings, workshops, and other activities dedicated to the idea of the “House of Nation” and the history of Lithuania‘s revival).    

Vilnius will be the first European city with a wooden construction concert hall of this scale which represents eco-friendly architecture.

The glued laminated timber represents efficient use of timber. In a time when our forests are under greater pressure than ever before, it makes sense to use the smaller and otherwise wasted parts of timber by combining them to form bigger, more usable elements. Thus, the glued laminated timber can be considered an environmentally friendly alternative.

ARARCHITECTURAL IMAGE

-          The glued solid timber (larch glulam) constructive grid in the façade adds a truss structure frame to the volume, visually exposing the  structure.

-          The functional disposition of volumes is easily comprehensible. The two main volumes are accentuated in the public atrium, both concert halls – the Grand Hall, a classical concert hall with excellent natural acoustics, and the Small Hall – a multifunctional venue -, easily adapted acoustically and technologically for smaller scale performing arts and other events, including symphony orchestra rehearsals.

-          The concert halls are finished with a weaved bronze wire curtain, adding minimal dynamic to the static volumes and referencing the stage curtain.

-          The green public outdoor gallery twists around the concert hall volume and concludes in the SOUND GARDEN square on the roof.

-          SOUND GARDEN square – the Taurus Hill peak is symbolically raised above the concert halls and is connected with the mountain with a green outdoor gallery.

Tauras Hill is about 30 meters high, thus the new town square SOUND GARDEN, which is located above the Concert Hall, lies 53 meters high and offers breathtaking views.

-          SOUND GARDEN square is a new urban outdoor public area with a stage for events, large trees and SOUND SCULPTURE outdoor exhibition.

-          SOUND SCULPTURE – an outdoor exhibition, created with interactive sonic objects for the visitors to enjoy and think about the origins of sound.

The union of nature and music is symbolically emphasized by all architectural elements of the concert hall, they connect the building’s main musical purpose with natural elements and the public openness of the new landmark. 

-          PANORAMIC GALLERY – an indoor gallery, located directly below the public outdoor gallery. It twists around the concert hall volume and creates a double loop around the new volume together with the outdoor gallery. The indoor gallery is a multi-level viewpoint for visitors and guests and an art gallery, the space is easily adjusted for educational activities and popup events.