Concert hall in Katowice

The molds of the company RECKLI were crucial for the execution of the unique architectural work of the acoustic monolithic construction of the concert hall in Katowice. The Japanese Yasuhisa Toyota is responsible for the acoustics of world-renowned concert halls. His goal is to create the perfect acoustic experience for every concert-goer. Thanks to Toyota, the concert hall in Katowice is one of the best in Europe.

The NOSPR hall has been home to the National Symphony Orchestra of Polish Radio since 2014, and we believe it will excite both visitors and musicians. Yasuhisa Toyota is also the author of the acoustics for the concert hall in Copenhagen and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

"Material and space are important factors for acoustic design,” says Toyota. These factors determine the distribution of sound, how it reflects, and the very intensity of the sound. Toyota primarily focuses on the acoustics and intimacy between the musician and the concert-goer.

For Polish architect Aleksander Nowacki from the company Konior, who contributed to the project, acoustic testing was as important as for Toyota. Nowacki stated: “The acoustic aspect was critical to our architectural decision.” The walls had to be made of solid and heavy material to meet the special surface structure requirements known as microshaping. The structure has precisely defined dimensions and depth, which is crucial for sound distribution and its impact on the audience.

Under normal circumstances, elements that would be fixed to a concrete wall would be used. However, in this case, it was important for the acoustics and the wall to form a single element. The use of concrete as the material for this construction was the decision of architect Aleksander Nowacki.

To implement the structurally designed concrete surface, the architects approached the company RECKLI, which supplied polyurethane molds for the formwork. Based on consultations regarding technical parameters, it was decided that the construction would be monolithic. RECKLI provided a total of 14 molds in two sets, which were interconnected.
The brilliant acoustics and the execution of dark structured concrete give this building a unique character.