The vertical split in the building provides the audience with access from two sides – from the old, historical town and from the modern and vibrant Vaksala Plaza. Through the horizontal split at the top are views of Uppsala’s characteristic skyline, which is dominated by castle, cathedral and library.
The concert and congress hall’s 14,600 m2 are laid out on eight floors including the basement. The concert hall comprises exhibition areas and three halls, of which the largest with 1150 seats is designed for symphonic music.
The long red escalators connect the various foyer areas of the house and lead the visitor from the arrival hall to level 3, where the foyer offers views of Vaksala Plaza. From level 3, the escalators continue in a spectacular unbroken stretch over three floors to the main hall foyer on level 6, which opens to an amazing view of Uppsala’s rooftops and skyline.
Uppsala Concert and Congress Hall appears as a modern and dynamic landmark for the city in an elegant interplay with the existing historical buildings. Since the inauguration in 2007 the concert hall has become a significant and unifying element in the city, and as an open house that welcomes new experiences and extends the city centre, the building was awarded Stadsmiljöpriset (urban environment award) in 2008.