By the end of 2026, a construction project for the Riga Philharmonic concert hall will be developed, which will house the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Latvian Radio Choir, and the Latvian Radio Big Band. The address is 5 Valdemara Street.
"Shining Image"
In its maiden form, this object was called the House of Party-Political Enlightenment under the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Latvia, and it was executed in the style of Soviet modernism. The construction of the building was completed in 1982 (architects Juris Gertmanis and Valery Kadirko), and its exterior finish used pink dolomite and copper sheeting.
On the first floor of the building, there is a conference hall with a capacity of 1200 seats; on the second floor, there is a balcony of the large hall, a small hall, and other rooms; on the third floor, there are office spaces. In 1999–2000, a four-story volume was added to the congress house.
The society Mark arhitekti un Mailītis arhitekti, which won the international sketch competition, presented its concept to the Saeima Commission on Education, Science, and Culture:
"Respectfully relating to the architectural heritage, it is proposed to apply it to the new function of an acoustic concert hall, to 'open' the historical park of the canal and make it an accessible part of the city's public space, an open cultural center. The new cultural content is reflected in the wavy glass facades of the building's extension. Just as the sea waves of the Baltic sparkle on a sunny day, turning into a pearlescent cloudy evening or acquiring a gray-blue hue, the wavy facades of the philharmonic also reflect the heavenly light in all its diversity, creating a soaring and shining image."
The philharmonic will feature three public halls — the Large (1300 seats + 110 on the balcony), the Small (350), and a multifunctional hall. On the first floor, which is open to the park and the city, there will be ticket offices, a souvenir shop, a café, a restaurant, a cloakroom, a room for mothers with children, and spaces for events and exhibitions.
On the upper floors of the public area, there will be entrances to the halls, spaces for events, education, and general creativity, a children's area, and more. The entrances to the rehearsal and technical rooms for musicians will be from Vingrotaja Street. The current extensions there will be demolished. German acousticians under the direction of Michael Wall are already developing sound solutions for the new project, and organist Iveta Apkalna is busy working on the organ for the future Philharmonic.
Come by Bicycle
Another important aspect: "Based on the location of the building in the city park and the availability of public transport and public infrastructure for car placement in the surrounding area, the project site does not include parking lots." Instead of the current underground parking, a bomb shelter is planned... However, a bicycle parking area for 157 two-wheeled friends of man will be built at the new hall.
Currently, only the amount for the design work is known — 3.5 million euros. As for the actual construction, it will most likely cost several hundred million. Although, who knows what will happen with the Homeland and with us...
