Already one of Germany’s most talked about new destinations, The Elbphilharmonie was designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron. It’s a huge glass and steel building set atop a former brick warehouse, creating almost a ship-like appearance. The scalloped roofline and bubbled windows add interest and all bring light into the space, creating an airiness that would be lacking otherwise.
Inside the hall, perfect acoustics designed by renowned Japanese acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota take center stage, with incredibly precise and accurate sound projected throughout the huge space. At over $850 million dollars, the building was certainly a major investment for this German city. But with shows completely sold out and a buzz brought back to Hamburg, perhaps it’s another example of great design being a catalyst for growth and creativity. Via The Washington Post: