a+u 17:03 Herzog Meuron, Elbphilharmonie

A detailed special feature on the recently opened Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg. Popularly nicknamed Elphi, it is one of the largest and most acoustically advanced concert halls in the world. The highly complex project has been years in the making, and its distinctive shape is accentuated by a facade consisting of variously curved panes of glass with light bouncing off them in all directions. The building exterior’s upward thrust also translates to its interior verticality and the relationship it seeks to build between music and audience. With an in-depth look at the design process, forms, and materials, a stunning photo essay by Joël Tettamanti, and an essay by the architects.