Bochum
Symphony

Project description

The competition for the Bochum Symphony was launched by the city of Bochum in 2008. The concert hall is located in the center of the city on Viktoriastrasse, Bochum's future event and culture mile. It forms the main axis from which public access to the site is provided. The striking brick building of the Marienkirche dominates the urban development situation as a landmark visible from afar.

The plots of land on which the concert hall and the Marienkirche are located are understood as a common cultural platform and are presented as such. Along Viktoriastraße, the building is clearly set back from the adjacent street development, creating a representative forecourt to the concert hall. The setback allows an unobstructed view of the Marienkirche and accentuates the main entrance to the concert hall. 

The concert cube is highlighted and staged as a striking centerpiece and focal point of the ensemble. The foyer and the ambulatory corridors arranged around the cube are enclosed by a glass shell that creates a flowing transition between the interior and exterior. With the transparent appearance, the special position as a cultural building in the urban space becomes visible. At night, the brightly lit foyer itself becomes a scenic area, blending into the urban space, and the hall becomes clearly legible as a set cube.

The planning was done by PLAN FORWARD GmbH, the participants in the competition were Zechbau GmbH, Zech Immobilien GmbH and W+P Gesellschaft für Projektrealisierung mbH as a bidding consortium. The competition was not decided by the city of Bochum, but was discontinued due to the failure to obtain financing. The design in the 1st phase reached the shortlist with three prizes.