Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, Stora salen
Uppsala Konsert & Kongress, Stora salen, is a modern concert hall and congress center in Uppsala, Sweden, housed in a striking split-crystal building designed by Henning Larsen Architects. Inaugurated in 2007 after decades of planning, the venue stands 37 meters tall and features reflective metallic façades, a vertical cleft connecting the historic town to Vaksala Square, and a horizontal cleft at the top that offers panoramic views of Uppsala’s castle, cathedral, and university library. Inside, long escalators guide visitors through the foyer, and the main hall’s acclaimed acoustics are achieved through tilted fiber-concrete elements wrapped in birch laminate. Stora salen programs a wide repertoire, from symphony orchestras to hip hop, jazz, pop, soul, comedy, dance, and children’s theatre, and also hosts conferences, lectures, and galas. The building incorporates permanent art installations and has won architectural awards, including a gold medal at Bienal Miami+Beach in 2007.