Elbe Philharmonic Hall, constructed in the HafenCity quarter of Hamburg, Germany, is set to be among the tallest buildings of Hamburg. This glazed structure is essentially a concert hall built atop an old warehouse by name Kaispeicher A and is designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron. The entire complex, along the warehouse docks on the Elbe River, will sprawl over an area of more than 700,000ft². The construction is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

This new wonder in glass will top 110 meters in height and have a 667,000-square-foot roof upon completion. The space will represent the cultural core of HafenCity by virtue of being ‘the’ concert hall for classical music concerts, sophisticated entertainment music and also a further highlight in the largest inner city urban development area in Europe.

The hall also offers a 250 room five-star hotel, a wellness and conference zone and 47 owner-occupied apartments. The apartments will enjoy a spectacular eastward view down the Elbe. The roof of the larger auditorium will be constructed to look similar to a series of large glassy waves floating above the distinctive Kaispeicher.

The Façade

The glass façade, consisting in part of curved panels, some of them cut open, stands out as a gigantic, sparkling crystal that catches the changing reflections of the sky, water, and city. In the hotel, the air vents become wave-like hatches, while the balconies of the apartments – horseshoe-shaped recesses in the glass – guarantee spectacular views, protection from the wind and lateral ventilation of the connecting rooms all at once.
The concert auditorium, which faces inwards, shimmers with its amber-coloured foyer through the glass wall. A grid of white dots is on the facade to provide protection from the sun. The density of the grid will be individually calculated, with the aid of a computer, so that each room has adequate protection depending on its function and position.

Apartments

The Elbe Philharmonic Hall will be more than just a concert hall – it will form an entire residential and cultural complex. In the west, the residential section will tower 110m above the Elbe. The 47 apartments will offer impressive views out over the city and the port, and have a separate entrance. Plans include a five-star hotel with conference facilities on the east side.

Plaza

Escalators will deliver visitors through the Kaispeicher A and into an open plaza 37m up. The plaza is a freely accessible zone positioned like a radiant joint between the warehouse and the new building. From there, visitors will be able to enjoy a magnificent view over the port, the River Elbe and the city. The interior of the Plaza will be dominated by the curved ceiling with its varying geometrical shape. It will afford spectacular views of the city and the harbour.

Auditorium

The large concert auditorium, with approx. 2,150 seats, will take pride of place in the Elbe Philharmonic Hall. It does not follow the orthogonal concept of a so-called shoebox stage. The orchestra and conductor are situated in the centre and the audience seating sections rise up in interlocking irregular terraces to form a steep-sided cauldron. Light is reflected from the bright surfaces. The reflector in the sharply pointed ceiling is a striking feature. It ensures outstanding acoustics and is also part of the lighting system.