House of Music

Category: Civil Architecture > Cultural Centre

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Cedofeita

Location

Casa da Música is the second largest concert hall in Porto, located on Avenida da Boavista.

Architecture

Designed by architect Rem Koolhaas, Casa da Música is an architectural landmark of the city, inaugurated in April 2005, after a long construction process that began in 1999.

Inauguration

The space was officially opened to the public on April 15, 2005, with a concert by the Porto National Orchestra. The event was attended by several important figures, including the President of the Republic at the time.

History of the site

Before construction, the land was used for the collection and repair of electric cars.

Construction cost

The initial project foresaw a cost of 33 million euros, but the final value amounted to 111.2 million euros, exceeding the budget and the planned deadline.

Criticism

Casa da Música has received international praise for its architecture, being compared to other iconic concert halls, such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Auditoriums

The building has two main auditoriums. The Sala Suggia, with 1,238 seats, and Sala 2, which can accommodate between 300 and 650 people, depending on the event.

Activities

In addition to concerts, Casa da Música also offers workshops and educational activities in various areas of the building.

Restaurant

The space has a restaurant that offers signature cuisine, but it is currently closed.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_da_Música

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt