Architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp), in collaboration with bbp: architekten, has been commissioned to refurbish the concert hall at Kiel Castle, dating from 1965 in accordance with conservation principles. 

The refurbishment will focus on the acoustic and technical upgrade of the concert hall, with 1,400 seats for classical concerts as well as for theater performances, festivals, and congresses.

Kiel Castle is situated to the north of the old city and to the west of Kieler Förde. Whereas the forecourt is linked with the inner city, the rear and the castle garden afford views across the port landscape. Until its destruction in World War Two, the old Kiel Castle, one of the most important buildings of the Renaissance in Schleswig-Holstein, of which only the west wing survived, stood on the site occupied by the contemporary building. 

The new east wing and the concert hall designed by the Hamburg architects Sprotte and Neve were opened in 1965. In 2005, the entire ensemble was listed as a historic monument. In the initial stages of the negotiation process, a concept study by bbp:architekten from Kiel demonstrated the need for refurbishment of the concert hall and illustrated the possibilities regarding changes to the building fabric.

The design by the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) and bbp:architekten for the refurbishment aims to retain the concert hall and to re-establish its original condition, as this was an outstanding example of modern architecture of the early 1960s. 

Concert hall at Kiel Castle, perspective of foyer. Image © gmp Architekten

For example, light materials and a new lighting concept will once again emphasize the qualities of the foyer and the hall, and link the spaces to create conceptual and atmospheric unity. With improved acoustics and technology, the hall will in future fulfill the requirements of classical concerts, as well as of various types of events such as theater performances, festivals, and congresses.

For the purpose of the refurbishment of the concert hall at Kiel Castle, the architects von Gerkan, Marg and Partners (gmp) are able to rely on their experience from a number of concert halls they have completed, such as, in 2017, the refurbishment and modernization of the Kulturpalast Dresden that includes a new concert hall for the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra, which has received several awards. In addition, they have been responsible for several large concert and theater buildings in China, such as the Grand Theater in Chongqing (2009), the Grand Theater in Qingdao (2010), the Grand Theater in Tianjin (2012), and the Guangxi Culture and Art Center in Nanning (2018). Currently, the modular Gasteig interim concert hall is being created as a temporary venue for the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. In bbp:architekten, gmp have the benefit of experienced local partners who contribute their experience from the concept study for the Kiel concert hall, a study that took several years.

Project facts

Negotiation: Process (VgV) 2019 – Contract Awarded
Design: Meinhard von Gerkan and Stephan Schütz with Christian Hellmund
Project Lead: Christian Hellmund
Negotiation Process Team: gmp Anna von Aulock, Tobias Alexander Schmidt, Nadja Stachowski, Jens Weiler
Partner practice: bbp:architekten bda, Kiel
Negotiation Process Team: bbp Sven Heitmann, Doris Hönig, Sven Friedrichs
Client: Kiel, capital of Schleswig-Holstein
NFA concert hall: 6,300 m²
Seats: 1,400

Top image: Concert hall at Kiel Castle, perspective of Schlossplatz with view of Förde terraces and entrance. Image © gmp Architekten

> via gmp