Playing on the design concept of 'a city within the city'

Compiled by Team IAnD

Photography:Courtesy schmidt hammer lassen architects

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The new 1,600 seat concert hall in Malmö Live, Sweden has opened to the public with a festive premier program this weekend 28-30 August, 2015.

The concert hall is the centre piece of the Malmö Live complex, which also consists of a five star Clarion Hotel, Congress Centre, two restaurants, sky-bar and an additional flexible venue space, called the Cube. The complex designed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen architects totaling 54,000 sq. m. opened in May this year, is fast becoming a cultural landmark in central Malmö.

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A clear and easily readable composition of buildings located within the Universitetsholmen masterplan, comprises three volumes: a large symphony hall; a flexible hall; and a conference centre. Through their mutual composition, these clearly defined elements set the tone for the musicality of the building.

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The three building masses also support the idea of 'a city within the city', which is the key design concept of the complex. The different functions of the building are organized as separate elements to resemble a small city, with the lobby becoming the street, which runs through the entire ground floor and ties everything together.

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"We worked in close cooperation with Akustikon to achieve two things: an absolutely world-class sound and a room with a musicality that works with the music, like sitting inside an instrument. The result is a composition of cubic elements. Each surface has a function, angle and size that supports the acoustics. Light is integrated into the walls so the mood can be changed depending on what is being performed in the hall,” says Kristian Ahlmark, Senior Partner, schmidt hammer lassen architects.

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The 45 metres long, 23 metres wide and 20 metres high concert hall is purposely designed for the Malmo Symphony Orchestra and seats an audience of 1,600. Made of oak and brass,  which helps create an intimate atmosphere, he concert hall stands in contrast to the complex's other interiors that stand boldly in raw black concrete and stone.

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With the concert hall's central location in Malmö Live and access via wide staircases and open, bright landings, which offer views of the main lobby and of the promenade, the canal and the city, the concert guests become part of the complex’ dynamic and versatile life - and a natural part of "a city within the city".