Bjarke Ingels Group to Design Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague

Prague will build the Vltava Philharmonic Hall on the banks of the Vltava River, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). The project, set to open in 2032, will transform the former industrial district of Holešovice into a musical and cultural hub. It includes three concert halls, a music department, a creative center for the Municipal Library of Prague, a public square, and a rooftop café accessible via an external staircase. The hall will host the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK and the Czech Philharmonic, providing residential and educational spaces. Wood from the Šumava forest and glass, typical of Czech craftsmanship, will be used extensively. The design aims to decongest the Old Town from mass tourism and create a new district, Bubny-Zátory, with 25,000 residents. The competition jury included representatives from the city's orchestras and library, chaired by Michal Sedláček.