House of Music Innsbruck

Outstanding terracotta façade at House of Music in Innsbruck “We deliberately chose a high-quality façade that is hidden behind the trees and reflects the colors and the light of the surroundings.” – Erich Strolz The terracotta facade of the House of music is something special. The vertically structured terracotta elements are coated with a customized dark glaze that shines in different nuances in the sunlight. The design language of vertically profiled, cantilevered elements is attracting more and more attention. The House of Music includes several cultural institutions on six levels and more than 13,000 square meters. These include the Kammerspiele with a stage and an auditorium for 220 people, two concert halls with 510 and 100 seats respectively, the Landeskonservatorium, the Institute for Musicology at the University of Innsbruck and the Mozarteum. The cantilevered forms plus the matching glazes create an extravagant world of grace.  As well as a new vitality through the interplay of light and shadow depending on the incidence of light and location. In addition, the terracotta element, which is predominantly designed in a long profile, picks up on the vertical fastening, which complements the previously customary horizontal type of suspension. NBK as the manufacturer of these terracotta elements supported the team of architects during the planning of this outstanding project. With the help of our experts, the cross-section, fastening and glaze were developed. The floor-to-ceiling ceramic curtain protect the glazed surfaces from solar radiation. In addition, the façade makes the building stand out in contrast between the beige, yellow and white adjacent buildings. The facade with vertically structured terracotta elements, and their special dark glaze – from blackish to dark/reddish-violet iridescent surfaces – make extravagant worlds of grace possible. The overhanging form, designed as a long profile, creates a play of colors due to the alternation of light and shadow. Additionally, depending on the lighting situation the transparent surface of the ceramic rods which were arranged as slats and along the window surfaces, make for an exciting light-dark contrast. This contrast is further enhanced by the monumental staircase inside. Here, the dark ceramic side walls  contrast the white of the floor and staircases, providing an extraordinary experience. The glass roof illuminates the room and creates the impression of an atrium. Image material © Klaus Brandes Photography Are you planning a project with a ventilated facade? We are happy to help you with the implementation. Our experts will support you in the planning and development of your project-specific rear-ventilated ceramic facade. Contact us here without obligation.