Diamond Schmitt and TWBTA reveal new Geffen Hall revamp plans
– Gary McCluskie
The New York Philharmonic has unveiled plans for the revamp of David Geffen Hall with Diamond Schmitt and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) designs aimed at fostering a sense of community and connecting it to the world outside.
The $550m (€496m, £418m) project was initially to be led by Heatherwick Studio before those plans were dropped.
The new plans will see Diamond Schmitt reconfigure the concert hall, which is based at New York's Lincoln Center, while 2019 Praemium Imperiale prize winners TWBTA will develop the public spaces.
The project will see the creation of a more intimate performance venue with improved acoustics and flexibility for presenting orchestra concerts, solo performances, multimedia presentations and movie screenings.
The hall's proscenium will be removed to create a more unified space, with the stage moved 25ft (8m) closer to the audience and seating wrapped around it.
Seating capacity will actually be reduced by 500 seats to 2,200, but a steeper rake will be introduced at the orchestra level to improve acoustics and sightlines.
Natural wood and curvilinear forms will contribute to a "contemporary, sculpted design".
Gary McCluskie, principal architect at Diamond Schmitt, said: "The new concert hall will be intimate, immersive, and adaptable to host a range of performances of classical compositions and innovative programming. The auditorium is recalibrated to deliver improved sightlines, audience comfort, and superb acoustics from every seat in the house."
The public spaces, meanwhile, will be reworked to provide better opportunities for people to gather and connect.
The main lobby will double in size and have a media streaming wall installed for showing concerts and events in real-time.
There will be a new Welcome Center for the public and a reconfigured Grand Promenade will be able to host up to 1,000 people at events.
There will also be a new restaurant and a new studio space for educational, artistic and community activities.
Tod Williams, co-founder of TWBTA, said: "By reorganizing and reconceiving the concert hall and its public spaces, the interiors of David Geffen Hall will be unified and invigorated. The result will be an experience that is warm, captivating, and exciting."
The new hall is scheduled to open in March 2024, with two closures from May 2022 to October 2022 and from May 2023 to February 2024.
Diamond Schmitt Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Geffen Hall Lincoln Center New York concert hallNew York's Lincoln Center scraps US$500m Heatherwick and Diamond Schmitt renovation
Heatherwick Studio to lead US$500m redesign of New York concert hall
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
Aman sister brand Janu launching in Tokyo in 2024 with design by Denniston's Jean-Michel Gathy
The Peninsula London unveils Peter Marino-designed spa inspired by London’s famous parks
First glimpses revealed of Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair's subterranean spa retreat
"Architecture is alive" says Ma Yansong, as Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
SHA Mexico to debut in January 2024 with genome-inspired design by Sordo Madaleno
Designing an eco hotel for the Galapagos Islands that allowed the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage while minimising its impact on the land presented its own unique set of challenges, Ecuadorian architect Humberto Plaza tells Kathryn Hudson