Musical Palace in Utrecht by Herman Hertzberger

In mid-November, the music center 'Tivoli Vredenburg' was completed in Utrecht, Netherlands, where individual concert halls were designed by four different Dutch studios. The building rises on the site of the existing 'Muziekpaleis' and is part of an extensive urban renewal project near the train station. The main idea comes from the architectural studio of Herman Hertzberger, who is also the author of one of the halls. Thijs Asselbergs, Jo Coenen, and NL Architects were invited to design the three remaining music spaces. The halls are expected to offer a wide range of musical performances aimed at connecting different social groups.
The most remarkable hall was placed inside Hertzberger's cube by Amsterdam's NL Architects, who named their design 'Pandora' (the original name was 'Crossoverzaal'). The white parasite with its irregular projections captures the main supporting structures, connects with adjacent rooms, and also extends into the facade, providing unique views of central Utrecht. Pandora, which offers seating for 400-600 spectators, will host dance performances, stand-up comedy, fashion shows, presentations, and conferences. Pandora will also serve as a "safety valve" for the other halls in case of a need to expand capacity. In addition to the four new halls, the original 'Muziekpaleis' for symphonic concerts with a capacity of 2000 people is located at the base of the building.

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