New Romanticism Concert Hall | Philip H. Wilck
The Romantic Period allowed artists the freedom of expression of their feelings through the use of spontaneous imagination. Rational systems and artificial rules were considered heinous because they limited the purity of the artists’ emotions. It sought for untamed inspiration and originality with obscure perceptions, stepping outside the boundaries of what should be expected, while also retaining a balance and intimate relationship with nature. With this design proposal Philip H. Wilck introduces a New Romanticism that combines a strong emotional aesthetic experience with concrete geometrical and material configurations, bringing new life to a classic era.
New Romanticism Concert Hall | Philip H. Wilck
The elaborately creative structure conducts the feeling of awe and amazement with its unique gestures and fluid movements. The bizarre and captivating concert hall echoes the architects’ ideas for a multilayered and complex music experience. Outside of the sensual qualities of the space a system of centrally positioned classical symmetric concert hall geometry and specifications were put in place. Some of the elements of the building include two areas created as sound shells inspired by biological shell geometries (biomimicry) and spaces for an energy self-sufficient structure utilizing host interaction and active materials. Even though the key elements associated with Romanticism are contradictory to the absolutistic building systems and configurations the architect introduces into his design, the combination provides a new outlook on creative expression that embarks on rethinking traditional architectural concepts.
Courtesy of Philip H. Wilck
Project info :
Designer: Philip H. Wilck
Location: Stadtpark, Vienna
Institution: University of Applied Arts, Vienna
Project Type: Conceptual design proposal (academic project)
Kristin Hoover is an editor at Arch2O and a proud graduate of Virginia Tech. Since joining in July 2014, she has authored over 200 insightful articles covering everything from adaptive reuse and cultural centers to eco-buildings and urban infrastructure . With a passion for architectural storytelling, Kristin skillfully curates and crafts compelling narratives that bring design innovation to life. Her editorial work reflects a broad yet finely honed interest in how architecture intersects with society, technology, and the environment—making her a key voice shaping Arch2O’s explorations of contemporary built form.