Auditorium de Bordeaux

Bordeaux inaugurated its new symphonic auditorium, designed and built between a seven-storey car park and three levels of apartments on the site of the city centre's former cinema. If sound insulation was a challenge, the superposition turned out to be a very successful constraint.

Information Sheet

New Build Auditorium de Bordeaux   www.opera-bordeaux.com

Location Bordeaux, France.

Project Cost 28 million €.

Time Frame Acoustic consultant competition: 2004. Design: 2005-2008. Construction: 2009-2012. Opening: January 2013.

Owner City of Bordeaux.

Architect(s) Michel Pétuaud-Létang, Atelier aquitain d'Architectes associés (4A), Bordeaux   www.4a-architectes.fr

Theatre Planner(s) dUCKS Scéno, France   www.ducks.fr

Seat Count A 1 400-seat concert hall and a 300-seat modular hall. Total area 6 800 m².

Uses Concert hall for the Orchestre national Bordeaux-Aquitaine (State Orchestra, Bordeaux), guest performances by symphony and chamber orchestras, recitals, chamber music, operas and additional uses including congress and amplified music.

Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services, including participation in the original design concept, room acoustics, acoustic isolation and noise control.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Yann Jurkiewicz, Nathalie Faillet, Johan Brulez, Kahle Acoustics.

1/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxThe 1 400 seat concert hall “Salle Dutilleux” from the Auditorium of the Opéra national de Bordeaux. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
2/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxOn the ceiling, four reclining mobile canopies for acoustic variability. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
3/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxThe 1 400 seat concert hall where the orchestra is surrounded on all sides by the audience. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
4/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxThe 1 400 seat concert hall and its floating side balconies. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
5/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxA multi-configurable stage. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
6/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxThe furthest seat is located 25 m from the conductor. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
7/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxThe side balconies are detached from the auditorium and can be accessed via gateways. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
8/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxAll auditorium surfaces are reflective except for the seating of the armchairs. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
9/9L'Auditorium de BordeauxView of a gateway to access the floating side balconies. Photo © Kahle Acoustics