Chopin International Music Centre in Zelazowa Wola
Zelazowa Wola, POLAND
Ryuichi Sasaki / Sasaki Architecture
The International Center of Music at the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin aims to expand and intensify statutory activities of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute, making the team in Żelazowa Wola a thriving center of artistic and educational activities. This assumption requires architecture focused on the spirit of the place, inseparably connected with it, respecting the surroundings and the influence of the charming park - the monument and the birthplace of the composer. It should harmoniously combine all these elements.
The designed object confronts the birthplace of Fryderyk Chopin, captures the vivid spirit of his priceless musical and ideological legacy, and through tectonics translates it into a modern architectural language. Designing the northern façade facing the park as a multi-level glass gallery allows unrestricted insight into the surrounding landscape as well as for displaying the shape of the concert hall from the side of the park. The sculptural geometry of this façade with the fluctuations of glazing, pillars and walls, is divided into smaller fragments, reducing the scale of the whole, increasing lightness and at the same time giving dynamics.
From each level of the building there is an infinite view of the park, the planned paths and terrain elements lead to the building, and the entrances in the basement are inviting constantly to the inside. Thanks to many openings in the walls and ceilings and glazing, a kind of landscape is also created inside. It opens to the views and the viewer, shaping attractive, interesting and accessible architecture. An unbreakable dialogue of space is created.
In the building of the International Music Center there are 2 main communication routes for guests. The first, leading from the entrance zone on the east-west axis to the foyer of the concert hall and the second - the main courtyard with stairs in the form of a sculpture surrounding the interior, leading through all floors up to the roof terrace. A clear communication system and zones (concert, practice, education and conference) makes the building user-friendly. The interior of the concert hall, in addition to the highest acoustic standards, is to ensure intimacy and a sense of closeness between the audience and the performer. It has to give a sense of unity with music.
Lead Architect: Ryuichi Sasaki/Sasaki Architecture
Architecture Team: Ryuichi Sasaki, Gen Sakaguchi, Anna Kwapien, Yuriko Ogura/Sasaki Architecture, Michal Rogozinski
Local Architect: Jacek Lenart/Studio A4
Structure Engineer: Ayumi Isozaki/Schnetzer Puskas Ingenieure AG
Acoustic Consultant: Akira Ono/Nagata Acoustics
Landscape Design: Takeshi Matsuo/PLAT design
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