We were already honoured as finalists in the competition in 2023, at that time for designs at two locations in the city. This year, the international competition entered its next round for the ‘Am Wehrhahn’ location. A total of eight architectural offices were involved in the final phase.
The design of HPP for the opera house of the future – an ensemble comprising the opera, the Clara Schumann Music School and the music library – is an open cultural quarter for the entire city. A venue that is constantly changing and characterised by a spirit of experimentation. The future opera house consists of a triad of well-proportioned cubes that blend into the urban context. A striking stage tower gives the building charisma and makes its cultural significance visible even from a distance. A new opera forecourt with stage effect is being created at Am Wehrhahn: a field of water and fog jets creates atmospheric moments, invites interaction and draws attention directly to the entrance of the opera house. The heart and connecting element is the cultural passage: it links the various functions on all levels, from the opera and music school to rehearsal rooms and the music library to the green opera Gardens on the rooftops. As an open, inviting vertical sequence of spaces, it creates visibility and participation in the various areas. Displays provide insights into the inner world, for example into the workshops or the side stage.
Anyone interested in seeing the winning designs can visit the auditorium of the Düsseldorf Opera House on Tuesday, 18 November, from 7:30 p.m. The award-winning entries are the focus of the ‘Forum Opera House of the Future’ event series. At the same time, an exhibition of all competition entries will open at 34OST on 18 November. The exhibition will run until 7 December.
Visualisations: © brick visual | © HYPS visual
