Harpa
Harpa, a concert hall and conference center in Reykjavik, Iceland, is defined by its prismatic glass facade designed by Henning Larsen Architects and artist Ólafur Elíasson, inspired by volcanic basalt formations. Construction began in 2007 but was halted during the 2008 financial crisis; it resumed in 2009, and the venue opened in May 2011. The name, chosen through a public competition, means both an early spring season and the musical instrument. Harpa houses four main halls, with Eldborg as the primary auditorium. It is home to the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Icelandic Opera, and programs a wide range of events including symphonic, opera, classical, jazz, and rock performances, as well as stand-up comedy, theatre, dance, and art exhibitions. The venue also hosts conferences and festivals such as Iceland Airwaves. Its architecture earned the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2013 and recognition from Gramophone Magazine. Geothermal heating and adjustable reverberation chambers in Eldborg underscore its technical and sustainable design.
