International Music and Conference Center

Passau, Germany

A Showcase on the Danube

Cultural

2020

Find out more

Status

Competition

Client

Centre National de la Construction de Passau

Address

Passau, Germany

Date

2020

Area

17 000 m²

Program (Details)

1,500-seat Music Hall, Amphitheater for Conferences and Concerts with 800 seats, Rehearsal Rooms, Seminar Rooms, Cafeteria, Changing Rooms, Administrative Offices, Underground Parking.

Credits

Mikoü

Project Team

Architect

Mikoü

Structure

Bollinger Grohmann

Fluids

Transsolar

HQE

Transsolar

Economy

SLETEC

Others

Acoustics: Nagata
Scenography: Ducks Sceno

Passau, known as the “City of Three Rivers,” represents a distinguished Bavarian locale where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz rivers converge in a unique confluence. The city’s cobblestone streets, pastel-hued rooftops, elevated fortifications, and tranquil riverfronts collectively form an architectural and natural composition that reflects a delicate balance between history and contemporary life. In this setting, time seems suspended, bridging the realms of tradition and modernity.

A Showcase of the City

Situated at the entrance to Passau, in close proximity to the University, the proposed conference and music center is conceived as an interactive structure, serving as a prominent showcase of the city. The concert hall, elevated above the forecourt and oriented parallel to the entrance square, is designed to engage with the surrounding urban environment through a series of foyers distributed across multiple levels, creating an expansive balcony that facilitates a dialogue with the city. This design is rooted in a pluralistic architectural approach, fostering interaction and exchange around the concert hall, with these spaces seamlessly connected by a fluid and immersive architectural promenade.

A Composition of Interconnected Forums
Instead of a structure focused on a single space, we propose a composition of interconnected forums that offer both visual and spatial diagonal perspectives. These foyers, spread across multiple levels, open up to the city and frame various vistas of the urban landscape. The entrance hall, a natural extension of the forecourt, encourages exploration and movement. The lower foyer, seamlessly connected to a landscaped esplanade, houses VIP and musician areas, with direct access to the stage and the lower level of the hall. A panoramic balcony, stretching along the concert hall from east to west, offers privileged views of the stage while revealing a sweeping panorama of the city. The upper floors contain seminar rooms, administrative offices, and the university’s executive offices. Their placement above the concert hall allows for optimal load distribution.

Geometry of the Concert Hall
With a ceiling height of approximately 14 meters, the hall provides the necessary acoustic volume and optimal early reflections. The proportions and dimensions of the stage are designed to accommodate orchestral performances, both with and without a choir. Suspended acoustic panels along the side walls deliver early reflections for both the audience and the musicians on stage. Inside the hall, strategically placed reflective panels between the seating blocks ensure swift acoustic reflections, while the gently sloping rows of seats maximize visibility and create an intimate acoustic experience.

Urban Facades Directed Towards the Landscape

Materials and Surface Finishes in the Concert Hall
The walls and ceilings are finished with solid wood to provide optimal reflection of sound energy across all frequencies. The ribbed surfaces facilitate the effective diffusion of high frequencies. The resonant floor and stage structure enhance the acoustic diffusion and transmission of low-string instruments. Curtains and banners, positioned in front of the walls or suspended across the hall beneath the ceiling, can be adjusted to improve speech intelligibility or modify the hall’s acoustics for events requiring sound amplification.