In the year 2010 an international, two-stage architectural competition was held for the design of a new concert hall for more than 1800 seats together with the architectural development of the property at 272 Grochowska Street. From among the 138 submitted entries, the jury of the competition selected the entry submitted by Atelier Thomas Pucher from Graz. In 2015, in the presence of Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, President of the Capital City of Warsaw, architect Thomas Pucher and Director of the Sinfonia Varsovia Janusz Marynowski signed a contract for the development of design documentation. Design work was completed in April 2021. Schedule for construction works to start in the second half of 2022. Completion of the first stage of construction works and opening of the three front buildings from Grochowska Street will take place in 2025. Completion of the second stage of construction works and opening of the concert hall is planned for the end of 2029.

The objective of the project is to create a new cultural centre for the city of Warsaw, centred around the Sinfonia Varsovia. The centre is intended not only to be an attractive location for the presentation of classical music and other arts, but also a place to spend free time. The fundamental premises of the project also entail the renovation and adaptation of 5 historical buildings of the former Veterinary Institute for the performance of new functions, the construction of the largest concert hall in Poland (1877  seats, comprising a creative integration of shoebox and vineyard designs) together with the creation of a garden and its connection with the park adjacent to the centre. A spectacular “suspended” lattice frame suspended 3 metres above the ground with stairs hidden inside, leading to a terrace at its top forms an integral part of the design.

This is a fascinating, very powerful project. By combining the shoebox and surround designs, Thomas Pucher has achieved a one-of-a-kind concert hall. Rows of seats weave around the hall like ribbons, touching here and there. This makes the orchestra perfectly visible from every seat in the house. This solution achieves the effect of “being in the middle of the music” with flawless acoustics. Every listener in the hall will hear truly high-quality sound.

Eckhard Kahle