At the end of August 2021, the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), together with the City of Prague, announced a competition for the new design of the concert hall. A total of 115 teams from 25 countries entered the competition. 

Michal Sedláček, Chairman of the Jury, says: "We were very pleased to see such a high interest from Czech and international studios, which testifies to the prestige of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall project. There were many high-quality portfolios and it was not easy to select the final 15 teams. I am very pleased that we can finally officially share the list of names of the architectural teams that we will now approach to develop the design for the new Philharmonic Hall. The final 20 from 15 countries have work experience not only in the public but also in the private sector, and offer a diversity of opinion and culture."

The advancing teams are ALA + OV-A, MVRDV, OFFICE KGDVS + Christ & Gantenbein, Mecanoo + CHYBIK+KRISTOF, Barozzi Veiga + Atelier M1, Sou Fujimoto Architects, Cobe + Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, ŠÉPKA ARCHITEKTI + MANGADO Y ASOCIADOS, Foster + Partners, Bjarke Ingels Group, Henning Larsen Architects, Carrilho da Graça Arquitectos, JAJA Architects, Bevk Perovic Arhitekti, and Petr Hájek Architekti. 

The selected studios will complement the five participants that Prague directly invited to develop proposals in August. These international architectural studios are Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Snøhetta, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield Architects, and SANAA. 18 million crowns will be distributed among the participants in the competition in sketch fees and prizes. 

Zdeněk Hřib, Mayor of Prague, notes: This is the only way we can sensitively complement our city with modern architecture that emphasizes the use of public space. The candidates' work with this area therefore played a significant role in the jury's decision. After all, we want the Philharmonic Hall building and its surroundings to live on beyond the performances themselves. This means that it should not be merely a tourist attraction, but also a place where Prague residents like to go often."

Petr Hlaváček, First Deputy Mayor for Spatial Development, says: "It is important to stress that the competition itself is only part of the project preparation. In addition to the competition, the project is continuing with other work, for example, we have done a vibration survey on the plot as well as public participation. And as soon as a new government is appointed, we are ready to negotiate with representatives of the state about its involvement in the project."  

The building, with an estimated construction cost of approximately 6 billion CZK, will have several halls with top-quality acoustics and a perfect spatial design that meets 21^st century standards. It will house both major Prague orchestras – the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic, as well as the music department of the Municipal Library, and other creative spaces, rehearsal rooms, and music classrooms, among others. The Vltava Philharmonic Hall building will also become a major impetus for the development of the Bubny-Zátory brownfield.

Ondřej Boháč, Director of IPR Prague, says: "The construction of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall is the project of the century and it is a pleasure to see that it enjoys significant support not only across the political spectrum, but as is clear from the sociological survey and our participation activities, also from the general public – both from Prague residents and regular visitors to cultural events."  

The final architectural proposal for the design of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall will be selected in April 2022. The construction itself should start in 2027, with completion planned for 2031. 

More information about the project can be found here: www.vltavskafilharmonie.cz.