Elbphilhar

A project that stands between heaven and earth, harbor and city. A house of music set against the backdrop of Hamburg's harbor that uplifts and transports those that visit it. On January 11th, 2017 the Elbphilharmonie celebrated its official inauguration. In the public bathrooms, the Scola washbasins and Starck 3 toilets by Duravit are making their entrance on the Elbe. Duravit supplied all the washbasins for this prestigious building in Hamburg.

The impressive building with its unique architecture joins the ranks of world-famous concert halls, such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York or the Sydney Opera House. Basel-based architects Herzog & de Meuron came up with the central idea. The new philharmonic hall sits atop the historical Kaispeicher warehouse, a brick building dating back to the 1960s. With its red base and white shimmering superstructure, the architecture of the Elbphilharmonie celebrates its contradictions; a heavy, massive lower half and an undulating top. Approached from the west, the building appears slim, almost fragile and, despite being a towering 361 feet high, not at all triumphal. However, from the east, the building seems to decrease in height and sits broadly supported by its base.
The sweeping roof brings movement to the clear order of the façade, which features glass rectangles in strict alignment. Inside, the Elbphilharmonie has three concert halls, as well as a hotel, restaurants and private apartments. The central point is the Plaza, a square that is open to all and that, at a height of 121 feet, offers a tremendous 360° view of the city.

The colossal main hall in particular with its 2,150 seats reveals the architects' driving idea: the desire for inclusion and integration. The orchestra is "encircled" by the public with the privileged seats not immediately discernible. The unique architecture of the Elbphilharmonie is designed to make everyone feel connected in the concert hall.

In the sanitary facilities, the Scola washbasin and the Starck 3 toilet stands on the parquet floor combining classical design with a modern feel. As one of the most successful classics in the Duravit portfolio with a circular, deep inside bowl, Scola plays the same leading role as the first violin. The Sundeck Pool by Duravit gives a solo performance in the wellness area of the Elbphilharmonie's Westin Hotel, offering quiet relaxation either before or after a concert evening.