Construction of the concert hall in Brno could start next summer

Brno - The construction of the Janáček Cultural Center in Brno could begin in the summer of next year. Brno's mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS) told reporters today. The city has reached an agreement to settle a dispute with the M1 architectural studio, which had threatened the city with a lawsuit. The studio won the architectural competition for the concert hall in 2004. However, during the previous administration, the city entrusted the completion of the project to an international team led by Polish architect Tomasz Konior, who presented a modified concept last year. Consequently, M1 filed a lawsuit against the city.

The concert hall, located between Besední and Veselá streets, is expected to cost around 1.3 billion crowns. It should offer around 1250 to 1300 seats. The Brno Philharmonic, which lacks performance spaces, will find its new home there.

Today, Brno's council approved the settlement agreement, which representatives of M1 have already signed. The agreement still needs to be approved by the city council. Once it comes into effect, the complainants will withdraw their lawsuit against the city. According to culture councilor Marek Fišer (Pirates), the dispute has been resolved, which could ultimately have led to the non-realization of the concert hall, as the city would have lost the opportunity to obtain state funding for its construction.

According to Vaňková, the agreement contains basic principles such as ensuring that the final project will respect the principles of the winning design of the concert hall, which emerged from the architectural competition. "It will also be in accordance with the zoning decision and compliant with the licensing agreement that was concluded," said Vaňková.

Priority for the city remains the quality acoustics of the hall and a good view of the stage for the audience. The location of the hall's technological center, which includes air conditioning and ventilation, will also change. It was originally to be on the sixth floor but will now be located underground in front of the hall. The city is also putting emphasis on the appearance of the space in front of the hall, where there should be greenery.