henning larsen architects: harpa concert hall and conference centre

olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects


danish firm henning larsen architects's design of the new reykjavik concert and conference centre
is underway for an early opening next year. 'harpa' will become home to the iceland symphony
orchestra and the icelandic opera, becoming a major addition to the region's cultural scene.
as a part of reykjavik's revitalization plan of the eastern harbour, the long term objective
of the project is to add a new downtown plaza, a hotel, residential buildings, educational
institutions and mixed industries on the surrounding grounds.

the 28,000 m2 complex features an abstract, honeycomb-like facade made out of glass and steel.
designed in collaboration with danish-icelandic artist olaf eliasson, the hexagonal windows were
influenced by crystallized basalt columns commonly found in iceland. the south side features
a system of multi-coloured LED lights (the most ever used in any construction in the world)
which will make 'harpa' glow during the night. the three-dimensional window blocks of the south
facade will also create kaleidoscopic reflections of the city and the surrounding landscape.






rendering of the north facade
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects



olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects



olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects



the hexagonal glass building blocks of the south side
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects


conceived by artec consultants inc, the acoustics of the the facilities are flexible, allowing
the space to adapt to different events by changing the resonance frequency of the hall.
the removable and stackable seating also allows for a variety of configuration.



concert hall
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects



rehearsal hall
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
visualisation of harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2007
eignarhaldsfélagi portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© 2007 portus ehf., olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects



west facade in construction
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © osbjørn jacobsen



hexagonal windows
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © osbjørn jacobsen



olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © osbjørn jacobsen



south facade in construction
olafur eliasson in collaboration with henning larsen architects
construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © osbjørn jacobsen



construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © studio olafur eliasson



construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © studio olafur eliasson



construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © studio olafur eliasson



construction of the facade for harpa reykjavik concert hall and conference centre, 2010
eignarhaldsfélagi∂ portus ehf., reykjavik, iceland
expected completion date: 2011
© portus ehf, olafur eliasson, and henning larsen architects;
photo: © studio olafur eliasson


the official opening (with an opening concert by the iceland symphony orchestra) will be held
on may 4th, 2011.