NEW YORK–The reconstruction of the heritage-protected House of Culture of the city of Ostrava and the extension of the concert hall continue in Ostrava. The new building not only combines top-notch architecture and perfect acoustics, but it may become one of the most environmentally friendly structures in the Czech Republic due to its significant solar potential.
The use of natural light, glass walls, and skylights will provide sufficient daylight to the building, reducing its reliance on non-renewable energy. The design by Steven Holl Architects from New York and Architecture Acts from Prague won the international architectural competition organized by the city of Ostrava. Steven Holl drew inspiration for the concert hall from the work of composer Leoš Janáček.
Symbolic laying of the foundation stone for this unique construction took place with the participation of the President of the republic Petr Pavel, mayor of Ostrava Jan Dohnal, governor Josef Bělica, distinguished world architect Steven Holl, and other city and state representatives on July 19, 2024.
“This is an extremely exciting moment for Czech music and architecture. The new concert hall in Ostrava, a ‘perfect acoustic instrument in its case,’ which emerged from working drawings, will now take shape in real space and with real sound. It will become an inspiring place for the public and international visitors, building on Ostrava’s rich musical legacy and allowing the city to gain visibility on the world music map,” stated architect Steven Holl.
The new building will become another landmark of Ostrava, encompassing not only a concert hall with perfect acoustics but also a comprehensive musical, cultural, production, and educational facilities. The building will offer a large hall with a capacity of 1,300 visitors and facilities for the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra of Ostrava. Visitors will also be able to use some of the 490 seats in the theatre hall or visit the chamber hall with 515 seats.
However, the building also includes an educational centre with a capacity of 200 seats, a recording studio of world standards. The project does not forget spaces for leisure activities, restaurants, cafes, lounges and other facilities. The House of Culture of the City of Ostrava has been a cultural monument since 2004, it was built according to the design of Jaroslav Fragner between 1956 and 1961, when it was also ceremonially opened.
“High-quality architecture is essential for the development of Ostrava. The presence of Steven Holl and his team brings a unique structure to the city. The exceptional concert hall project will provide a renovated city house of culture, suitable musical facilities, and it has an impact on the field of architecture as well. Thanks to such prominent figures in architecture and the extensive activities of working teams involved in the realization of these unique projects, Ostrava will be able to offer a new multifunctional complex that has no competitor in the Czech Republic. However, before the new concert hall welcomes its first visitors, there are many tasks ahead, the estimated date of completion of the building is in 2027,” stated Jan Dohnal, Mayor of Ostrava.
The auditorium of the large hall is arranged in the so-called vineyard style, divided into smaller sections, with part of the auditorium even behind the stage. The sufficiently steep arrangement ensures good visibility, and practical terraces enhance the feeling of intimacy. The furthest seats are expected to be situated about 28 meters from the stage. A sound reflector, designed to reflect sound with an ideal time delay for both musicians and the audience in close proximity to the stage, will be suspended 15 meters above the stage. The high-quality sound is enhanced by the maple wood panelling, which is used, among other things, to make violins.
Rectangular views fine-tune the acoustics on stage, allowing musicians to hear themselves and their fellow musicians. The design and corresponding acoustic adjustments of the concert hall were entrusted to the renowned expert Yasuhisa Toyota. His company, Nagata
Acoustics, has provided acoustic solutions for nearly 60 concert halls around the world since 1971.
“The ground-breaking ceremony, attended by the head of state and other top constitutional officials and city representatives, is a beacon of hope not only for the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava but for the entire cultural scene in the Czech Republic. It is a hope that culture and cultural activities are no longer seen as peripheral issues. The hope that we are aware of the fact that culture is what defines us as human beings, but especially as a nation” concluded Jan Žemla, director of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava.
