Snøhetta‘s Design Revitalizes St. Louis Symphony orchestra’s Powell Hall
ST.LOUIS, MO – A major expansion and renovation of Powell Hall, home to the St.Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO), has been completed, spearheaded by international design firm Snøhetta in collaboration with Christner Architects. The project delivers state-of-the-art facilities for musicians and patrons while honoring the historic character of the concert hall and fostering a stronger connection with the surrounding arts district.
The redesign centers around a striking new front-of-house addition, characterized by canted shells of raked masonry, inclined surfaces, and arched openings. These arched urban windows intentionally offer glimpses into the vibrant activity within, signaling a renewed sense of joy and creative energy. Inside, a triple-height space houses a suite of gathering areas with interconnected terraces, designed to encourage social interaction and visibility during performances.
Beyond the hall itself, Snøhetta reimagined the adjacent public plaza at the corner of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive, transforming it into a welcoming, sunlit square. The plaza aims to unify the energy of neighboring arts institutions and provide a flexible space for pre-event gatherings, vehicle drop-off, and a plant-filled garden. fluid circulation routes and towering planting groves further enhance accessibility and create a welcoming arrival experience.
A significant back-of-house expansion along the eastern side of Powell Hall provides modernized rehearsal spaces for SLSO ensembles, expanded backstage rooms, new media and recording suites, and dedicated storage for musicians and guest artists. This expansion serves as a hub for innovation and collaborative programming across artistic disciplines.
“The reconceptualized St. Louis Symphony Orchestra signals a renewed commitment to music, collaboration, and community-setting a new standard for concert halls beyond and establishing a resonant dialog with the past,” according to project documentation.
Prime Project Team:
* Snøhetta: Project Lead and Design Architect
* Christner Architects: Architect of record
* Schuler Shook: Theater-planning Consultant
* BSI Constructors: Construction Manager
* Kirkegaard: Acoustics Design
* Photography: Sam Fentress
Source: https://www.snohetta.com/projects/st-louis-symphony-orchestra-expansion
