From an old stable barn to a sound room for grand pianos and string instruments: Nendeln (Liechtenstein) now has an outstanding jewel for musical culture. The transformation of the Hagen House, located next to the heavily trafficked Feldkircher Straße, into a top-tier concert hall was a significant challenge in 2019. Today, it is clear that Nendeln now hosts a gem that offers unparalleled auditory experiences at the highest level. The exceptional acoustics of the hall promise unforgettable sound moments and inspire musicians and soloists to deliver their best performances.
The historic ensemble in Nendeln, which includes a classicist double townhouse, a large barn, a wash house, and a shooting hut, was built in 1837 by Joseph Anton Seger and served as an Austro-Hungarian post station from 1864 to 1912. Following a meticulous renovation and expansion, this listed property is now becoming the new home of the International Music Academy Liechtenstein. The townhouse will offer accommodation and practice rooms for music students, while the attic will be used as a professors’ loft.
The barn, originally constructed as a pillar barn, has been converted into a chamber music concert hall. Müller-BBM Building Solutions handled the specialized planning for the acoustic design of the space and building.
Many performance spaces for pianos are too small. In contrast, the Peter-Kaiser-Saal features key elements for room acoustics: a generous volume of 900 m³ and sound-diffusing wooden surfaces, similar to the tonewoods used in string instruments. The slats in front of the windows break up harsh, direct reflections and produce a warm, refined sound. The open space leading upwards with a visible roof truss results in an ideal distribution of sound, allowing the tones from pianos and string instruments to be optimally supported by the room.
At home in the living room, sound usually decays in a dry 0.5 seconds, whereas in churches for organ music, the reverberation of music and singing can last up to 5 seconds. In the new Peter Kaiser Hall, sound-absorbing and rotatable wooden absorber elements were placed in front of the façades. Room acoustic measurements with special spherical dodecahedron loudspeakers confirm that the reverberation time for warm tones is ideal at 1.5 seconds and 1.0 seconds for high tones, which prevents the sharp sound of grand piano music.
The acoustic experience within the hall is also enhanced by low ambient noise levels. The noise from the busy road outside is effectively blocked by 35 cm deep box windows with exceptionally heavy, sound-insulating glass panes. The roof and side gable walls were extensively soundproofed in accordance with heritage protection requirements, as sound insulation demands both space and mass. This is a true blessing for sensitive ears.
Cukrowicz Nachbaur Architects have created a remarkable space that offers a design and material language conducive to comfort. Wooden surfaces dominate the design, while technical elements such as lighting and seating are discreetly finished in black. The window slats function not only as acoustic but also as visual filters. Here, acoustics and architecture have been harmoniously integrated into an inspiring and aesthetically pleasing hall.
A contribution by Dr. Andreas Meier, Acoustic Consultant and Project Manager, Müller-BBM Building Solutions GmbH
