A central tension, perhaps even contradiction, for civic architecture is how to create buildings that are visually profound yet simultaneously comfortable and easy-to-navigate at the human scale.
A central tension, perhaps even contradiction, for civic architecture is how to create buildings that are visually profound yet simultaneously comfortable and easy-to-navigate at the human scale. Large scale combined with complexity of function can sometimes produce an intimidating, at times bewildering, experience for users.
Our proposal tackles that tension decisively. By utilising separate, yet connected, volumes, we create the sense of an ‘old town quarter’, based around a central square or ‘Agora’. This generates exciting views at distance and on approach, whilst creating a relatable and dynamic experience within.
“ The building offers true diversity of potential experiences and journeys, with the range of options changing with every new installation, season and time of day. ”
This design allows for diverse and simultaneous activities and attractions throughout the day, and throughout the year. We envisage a tempered, ‘keyless’ Agora – a destination in its own right, into which people ‘spill out’ and ‘spill in’ to the surrounding grounds and the wider city on a 24/7 basis. This will increase the percentage of the population, and especially younger age groups, brought into contact with the core musical offering.
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