Conversion and extension of the Essen Philharmonic
- Design:Busmann + Haberer Gesellschaft von Architekten, Cologne
- GFA|Gr.Vol|NIA11,500 m² | 84,000 m³ | 8,500 m²
- Services:Projektsteuerung, AHO 1 - 5
- Completion:2005
- Client:City of Essen, GVE Grundstücksverwaltung City of Essen GmbH
Project description
The Essen Philharmonic, located in the historic Saalbau, which has a 100-year tradition as a concert hall, is the largest concert hall in the Ruhr metropolitan region.
After an extensive two-year renovation, the Essen Philharmonic was ceremoniously reopened in June 2004. In the course of the modernization, the Philharmonic was optimized in the areas of fire protection, cabling, lighting and ventilation as well as acoustics under the management of W+P Gesellschaft für Projektrealisierung.
The design concept was implemented in a dialog between the listed elements and the newly created fixtures, materials and colors. The heart of the Philharmonic is the Alfried Krupp Hall with its light wood tones, deep blue sky and red seating.
Up to 1,900 visitors can be seated on rising stalls in the stalls and on two tiers. In addition, a lifting podium concept allows a large portion of the floor space to be changed to horizontal foyer level in a matter of minutes. This allows the hall to be used not only for classical concerts, but also for other purposes, while optimizing the conversion time.
The newly created foyer, supplemented by a "garden foyer" glazed on all sides with a view of the city garden, provides improved access to the Alfried Krupp Hall and the RWE Pavilion. The glass cube of the RWE Pavilion offers space for 350 guests as well as a stage for various occasions, receptions and concerts. Via the entrance from the Stadtgarten, tuning rooms and rehearsal rooms for the orchestra and musicians are located along the hall. A newly created artists' foyer connects these spaces and serves as an internal communication area.