London-based Amanda Levete Architects (AL_A) has been selected by the United Nations Development Programme to design the 40,000 sq m Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall on the banks of the River Danube in Serbia.
The development will contain a 1,600-seat symphonic hall, a 250-seat recital hall, outdoor events space, creative studio, rehearsal and teaching spaces, an orchestral archive, a jazz club, restaurant and shops.
The performance hall, recital hall and podium stage encircle a social space and shared back-of-house facilities positioned underneath what AL_A describes as a “town square”.
The project will be located next to the Palace of Serbia, overlooking the wilderness of Great War Island. The design is inspired by the landscape of the River Danube, with rippled façade mirroring the waters of the Danube.
AL_A will work alongside landscape designer VDLA, engineer AFA Consult, local architect Zabriskie and consultant Arup on the project.
AL_A’s team won the design competition from a shortlist that included Diller Scofidio + Renfro, MVRDV and Snøhetta.
Ana Brnabic, prime minister of Serbia, said: “The Belgrade Philharmonic Concert Hall is the largest cultural infrastructure project in Serbia, and the region, and will be one of the largest in Europe itself. I am proud that this decades-long dream, of our professional musicians, young talents, music lovers and the people of Serbia, is finally coming true in such a beautiful shape.
“This Concert Hall is most definitely going to become a new landmark of Belgrade and attract visitors and tourists to our country. I strongly believe it will become another regional hub for making contacts and knowledge exchange, with the flow of creativity, ideas and experience of both domestic and foreign artists.”
Amanda Levete, said: “You couldn’t dream of a better site than this to message Serbia’s vision for the future. The magnificent setting of Usce Park, on the banks of the River Danube sends a powerful message about transforming and rewilding our cities to make them greener, more beautiful spaces.”
