Polyphonic Projections – an ensemble of cellular structures, each designed specifically to enrich the audial, visual, tactile, and environmental experience, form a series of unique spaces to house the Kaunos M.K. Čiurlionis Concert Center in Kaunus, Lithuania.
Inspired by the remarkable life & work of Ciurlionis, the phenomenological architectural approach of the proposed scheme emanates the Renaissance spirit of bridging different art forms.
The project consists of 2 theaters, an outdoor amphitheater gallery spaces and back house, in addition to landscaping of the waterfront. The center sits along the Nemunas River in the Aleksotas neighborhood of Kaunus.
Polyphonic projections spread out towards the park to create an active landscape/ a multi-faceted embankment which will create a unique park experience while forming sanctuaries of biodiversity along the ebb and flow of the river’s tidal reach.
Maximizing the surface area through landforms encourage habitats for migrating birds and the ecology of the river. Fresh water oysters can be harvested within this ecological park that will help clean the Nemunas River and help support marine life to create fish breeding grounds.
The idea of polyphonic projections is rooted in the mathematical rigor of projective geometry. Each form traces multiple perspectival cones forming the individual building block for the project. The cones serve multiple functions from framing views & light to creating ecological landscapes. The propagation of the polyphonic projections throughout the landscape metaphorically echoes intertidal ecological formations.
The open amphitheater is located facing the main concert hall stage which will be a unique and inclusive public space, where the concerts will be broadcast live. This will create a heightened engagement of the public to the Concert Centre.
The main foyer around the concert halls is formed by overlaying and carving polyphonic projections creating poetic spaces of light and shadow.