ARCHITECTUURGIDS.NL / ARCHITECTUREGUIDE.NL

MUZIEKGEBOUW

3XN, 1997-2005, Piet Heinkade 1, Amsterdam

ARCHITECT(URAL OFFICE):
3xN

PROJECT ARCHITECT:
Kim Herforth Nielsen
Palle Holsting

ASSISTING ARCHITECT:
ABT

BUILDING TYPE:
Cinemas and theatres


RELATED BUILDINGS:
Oostelijke Handelskade, Rietlanden

A pair of small venues with inadequate facilities in Amsterdam joined forces with the National Music Information Centre and the Gaudeamus Foundation in a single music building at a fabulous waterside location along the IJ. Its three components - concert hall, BIMhuis for jazz and improvisation, offices - are readily identifiable volumes stationed in and around a glass box. Dispatch bays and rehearsal and soloist's rooms assemble together in a plinth. For the rest, the design by the Danish architecture firm of 3xN is dominated by an expressive roof jutting a full 19 metres above the waterside terrace. The concert hall is a box-within-a-box to meet the acoustic requirements and its ceiling and floor can be moved to suit a whole range of performance criteria.