Harpa - Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre

Reykjavik, Ijsland

Photo © Nic Lehoux

Architecten: Henning Larsen

Locatie: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavik, Ijsland
Jaar: 2011
Klant: Austurnhofn TR – East Harbour Project Ltd.
Gross floor area: 28,000 m2
Architects: Henning Larsen Architects and Batteriid Architects
Landscape architects: Landslag efh and Lisbeth Westergaard
Façade design and development: Olafur Eliasson and Studio Olafur Eliasson in collaboration with Henning Larsen Architects
Owner and operator: Harpa, Portus Group, AGO (operator of Harpa) Totus (owner of Harpa)
Engineers: Artec Consultants, Mannvit Engineers, Hnit Consulting Engineers, Efla Engineers, ArtEngineering and Ramboll
Acoustics: Artec
Other consultants: ASK Architects, Almenna Consulting Engineers, Verkis Consulting Engineers, Verkhönnun Engineers, Jasper Parrott (international c

Situated on the border between land and sea, the Concert Hall stands out as a large, radiant sculpture reflecting both sky and harbour space as well as the vibrant life of the city. The spectacular facades have been designed in close collaboration between Henning Larsen Architects, the Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson and the engineering companies Rambøll and ArtEngineering GmbH from Germany.

The Concert Hall of 28,000 m2 is situated in a solitary spot with a clear view of the enormous sea and the mountains surrounding Reykjavik. The building features an arrival and foyer area in the front of the building, four halls in the middle and a backstage area with offices, administration, rehearsal hall and changing room in the back of the building. The three large halls are placed next to each other with public access on the south side and backstage access from the north. The fourth floor is a multifunctional hall with room for more intimate shows and banquets.

Seen from the foyer, the halls form a mountain-like massif that similar to basalt rock on the coast forms a stark contrast to the expressive and open facade. At the core of the rock, the largest hall of the building, the main concert hall, reveals its interior as a red-hot centre of force.

The project is designed in collaboration with the local architectural company, Batteríið Architects.