The brief given to the team of SimpsonHaugh Architects from Manchester and Larry Kirkegaard, one of the most renowned acousticians from the USA, was as clear as it was ambitious: they were to redesign a historic building complex and at the same time create an exemplary world-class concert hall. The project was to be implemented in the heart of the Belgian port city of Antwerp. The historic Queen Elisabeth Hall concert and ballroom center was to be completely renovated and expanded with a completely new concert hall.

One thing can be revealed at this point: Specially developed metal mesh from GKD played a leading role in the design of the interior.

Integration and historical appreciation

The Königin-Elisabeth-Saal was initially built as a ballroom at the end of the 19th century. After the destruction during the Second World War, an additional concert hall was built behind the beautiful Art Nouveau façade from the 1950s onwards. In 2011, the decision was finally made to add another concert hall to the ensemble of buildings, the new Königin-Elisabeth-Saal.

SimpsonHaugh Architects carefully embedded the new building into the existing historical complex. They also took the opportunity to uncover previously concealed parts of the old Art Nouveau façade, creating new connections between the new building and the building’s historical roots.

Innovative design elements for improved acoustics

In addition to the aesthetic enhancement, particular attention was paid to the acoustic performance. This is why the new auditorium was designed according to the shoebox principle – a construction form that is known for the best orchestral sound.

Together with a precisely calculated distance from the stage to the wall and the arrangement of the seats, this contributes significantly to the acoustic quality.

Mesh for optimum acoustics

The ceiling and the rear stage wall of the new Queen Elisabeth Hall were clad with a total of 1,600 square meters of the gold-coloured powder-coated fabric PC-ALU 6010 from GKD. In total, GKD covered 204 partially wave-shaped frames with this type of fabric.

Its fine structure significantly improves the sound quality by distributing the sound evenly throughout the room. At the same time, the fabric conceals some of the necessary technical equipment in the concert hall. Movable acoustic reflectors, also covered with aluminum mesh and suspended from the ceiling, enhance the acoustic effectiveness and contribute to the homogeneous appearance.

Aluminum and stainless steel in a uniform colour scheme

The architects and acousticians carried out extensive tests to ensure the optimum room and sound experience and to achieve a uniform look. Metal mesh was chosen due to its acoustic neutrality as well as its visual, flexible and robust properties, which perfectly matched the sophisticated design concept.

In order to achieve a uniform coloration of the frames and mesh, the mesh materials were specially pre-treated. While the ceiling and rear wall were covered with PC-ALU aluminum mesh, the planners chose OMEGA 1520 stainless steel mesh with gold-colored coated weft wire from GKD for the balustrades of the galleries.

This fabric is characterized by its flexibility, which allows it to adapt to the complex shaped corners of the balustrades. It is robust enough to withstand shocks by being tensioned in the direction of the rope. The installation of the fabric on the front and rear parapet elements over an area of 400 square meters required precise adaptation to the curves of the structure.

Audible sound quality

The acoustic improvements and aesthetic redesign have resulted in the new Queen Elisabeth Hall boasting an acoustic rating of 9.3 out of 10 points. The old concert hall scored 6 points. The Antwerp concert hall thus joins the ranks of renowned temples of sound such as the Golden Hall in Vienna, Symphony Hall in Boston and the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.