Konzerthaus Blaibach

In the local cultural scene the Blaibach Concert Hall is considered especially noteworthy. The iconic building has been officially honored in the architectural sphere. On May 20, 2015 Peter Haimerl, the building’s architect, received a German architecture prize for concept and design. Tradition meets stylistic modernity in the visionary-monolithic building. Vero washstands and DuraStyle lavatories crown the extraordinary design.

The small town of Blaibach is located in the Bavarian forest, half-way between Munich and Prague, far from any major city. Here the citizens of the community decided to breathe new life into the nearly abandoned town center. The starting point for the initiative was the community center, which was cladded in contemporary exposed concrete. With the new concert house, which was built according to the blueprints of Peter Haimerl, came what is probably the most significant transformation — that of the town to a new cultural center. Architecture became a driving force behind change - precisely because it came from the community.

Tilted parallel to the main entrance, the cube-shaped building is half-sunk into the ground, giving it the appearance of a red rock that landed on the village square. Modern architecture is united with tradition, for the extraordinary shape — with coarse chips of granite in the concrete facade — is a reminder of the former quarry-man traditions of Blaibach. The narrow main facade of the building opens to a slit, under which a wide stairway leads to the main entrance on the side. The visitors are received in the underground foyer with a masterfully staged dramaturgy. Even the lavatories feature a combination of Vero washstands and versatile DuraStyle toilets by Duravit.

The steep yet generously proportioned concert hall is the surprising highlight of the spatial interplay. Its tilted shape with various slotted walls was not designed for visual impact, but rather was built according to the specifications of the acoustician. Here the walls fold in layers and segments to form a large, windowless soundscape. It can accommodate approx. 200 culture and art enthusiasts who can experience new events every month, from classical piano concerts to tango and boogie nights.