Bozar, Brussels

2023: This renovation is focused on two halls: The M hall and the Studio along with their cloakrooms and dressing rooms. As a whole, the project aims at highlighting current premises and the architect Horta’s work while improving its functionality. The renovation is happening while Bozar remains open to the public with its on-going cultural programme.

2005: The Palais des Beaux-Arts, Listed building, designed by Victor Horta in the 1920s, needed some adaptations in order to host the music festival Klara in the Horta Hall, and multimedia events in the Terarken hall(s), which can now be divided into three rooms thanks to acoustic sliding doors.

Information Sheet

Renovation/Transformation Bozar   www.bozar.be

Location   Brussels, Belgium. Listed building.

Owner   Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar).

M Hall + Studio

Project Cost 6.8 million €.

Time Frame Design: 2018-2019. Construction: 2020-2025. Opening: 2025.

Architect(s) Atelier d'Architecture Pierre Hebbelinck, Belgium   www.pierrehebbelinck.net

Theatre Planner(s) ArtSceno, Switzerland   artsceno.ch

Seat Count The M Hall, or the former chamber music-hall of 400-seats and the Studio; the former recital hall, of 210 seats; respectively of 630 et 252 m².

Uses Cultural entity dedicated to exhibitions, festivals and lectures gravitating around music, architecture and art in general.

Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services including acoustic concept, room acoustics, sound isolation and noise control design, construction supervision and post-opening services.

Team Yann Jurkiewicz, Thomas Wulfrank, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics.

Henry Le Bœuf Hall + Horta Hall + Terarken Hall(s)

Project Cost Non-available.

Time Frame Design: 2002-2005.

Architect(s) Georges Baines (Multimedia rooms Terarken); Barbara Van der Wee (Master plan and Henry Le Bœuf Hall doors); Christian Kieckens (Hall Horta installation), Belgium   www.christiankieckens.be

Seat Count Terarken hall: 750-seat, or three 250-seat rooms thanks to acoustic sliding doors, total area 1 000 m². Horta hall: 500-seat, total area 500 m². Henry Le Bœuf hall: 2 100 seats.

Uses Chamber music and amplified music, exhibitions, projections, performances, conferences, multimedia.

Services Acoustic consulting services for the new multimedia rooms — Terarken hall(s) — (acoustic sliding doors concept); concept and supervision of acoustical installations in Horta hall for the Klara music festival; acoustical improvements of the Henry Le Bœuf hall doors; and participation to the Bozar master plan elaboration.

Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Nathalie Faillet, Kahle Acoustics.

1/7BozarHall Horta. Due to the installation of discreetly integrated acoustic ceiling banners and absorbing wall panels, the foyer was transformed into a 500-seat chamber music hall for the Klara Music Festival. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
2/7BozarHall Horta. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
3/7BozarTerarken Hall(s). Newly transformed room for multimedia projects and exhibitions for up to 775 seated people. Sliding acoustic partitions allow subdivision into two or three smaller rooms with 250 seats each. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
4/7BozarM Hall before renovation. The former chamber music-hall of 400-seats, as seen from the stage. Photo © PBO
5/7BozarM Hall before renovation. The former chamber music-hall of 400-seats. Photo © PBO
6/7BozarStudio before renovation. The former recital hall of 210 seats, as seen from the stage. Photo © PBO
7/7BozarStudio before renovation. The former recital hall of 210 seats. Photo © PBO