Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg, Germany

The building complex, designed by celebrated Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, accommodates a philharmonic hall, a chamber music hall, restaurants, bars, a panorama terrace with views of Hamburg and the harbour, apartments, a hotel and parking facilities. These varied uses are combined in one building as they are in a city.

The defining feature of the Elbphilharmonie are 1,000 curved window panels, tailor-made to capture and reflect the colour of the sky, the sun’s rays, the water and the city, and turn the concert hall into a gigantic crystal. Each panel can be illuminated individually.

The heart of the Elbphilharmonie is the Grand Hall, with the stage situated in the centre of the concert hall, surrounded by terraced seating for 2,100 guests. The expansive sound reflector, that is suspended high above the stage, helps the special wall and ceiling panels to project sound into every corner of the space.

The public bathrooms of the Elbphilharmonie, with wonderful views of the city and the harbor, feature Palomba Collection washbasins.

Between the old warehouse and the glass structure is the Plaza – a public viewing area that extends around the whole building. At a height of 37 metres above ground level, the Plaza offers visitors a spectacular 360° view of the city and harbour. From here, visitors can access the concert halls, hotel lobby and the Elbphilharmonie Shop via stairways and lifts.

The Elbphilharmonie is a landmark visible from afar, lending an entirely new vertical accent to the horizontal layout that characterises the city of Hamburg.