Starry shortlist of architects for London’s new Center for Music

2017-07-11T20:38:00-04:00

The viability of building a major new concert hall in London has been widely debated, and the future of the Center was thrown into doubt last November, when the British government withdrew its commitment to contribute 5 million pounds (about $6.4 million) to pay for a business plan. The City of London Corporation stepped in with 2.5 million pounds (about $3.2 million) to allow project to go ahead.

The shortlist for the future home for the London Symphony Orchestra and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama was announced on Monday and consists of AL_A, Foster + Partners, Renzo Piano, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Gehry Partners, Snohetta , all of which have extensive experience working on cultural buildings.

The center which will include a concert hall with up to 2,000 seats, as well as education and training spaces, will be located in what is currently the Museum of London, designed by Hidalgo Moya and Philip Powell in the 1970s. The building is estimated to cost 200 million to 250 million pounds ($257 million to $322 million) to construct and is to be covered by private and philanthropic donations.

"The shortlisted architects have been asked to provide detailed designs as well as estimated costs, and the winner will be announced this fall."

Archinect - News

Starry shortlist of architects for London’s new Center for Music