Düsseldorf to Build New Opera House

The new building, Duett Düsseldorf, is being designed by Oslo-based architecture firm Snøhetta 

Plans are well underway for a new opera house in the city of Düsseldorf. Snøhetta, an Oslo-based architecture firm, recently unveiled the designs for the new building, which is to be titled Duett Düsseldorf. They envision the opera house as the city's new cultural epicenter and have integrated its links with nearby landmarks such as the Hofgarten park, the Rhein river, and the popular Königsallee street into the design.

The opera house, which was commissioned by CENTRUM GROUP, has been built in place of the city's current space. The new venue, which is 163 square meters, will allow for expansion of the stage area, as well as introducing several new function rooms, thus better serving the needs of international opera companies.

At the heart of the design is a pair of dancing towers, which will house a hotel, office space, and residential units. The performance spaces are at ground level and will feature a glass façade and a wooden interior with high ceilings, which the firm says will integrate the indoors with the outdoors.

You can see some of the design photos below, and there are more on Snøhetta's website.