A competition for a new concert hall for Sinfonia Varsovia, one of Poland’s top orchestras, has generated an unprecedented interest.

A total of 349 teams of architects, 173 from Poland and 176 from 46 countries, have submitted their conceptual designs. This weekend a panel of judges makes a preliminary selection of the best projects.

The shortlisted designs will be invited to take part in the second stage of the competition.
Among the countries from which the designs were submitted are Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, India, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Canada, Columbia, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Sudan, Switzerland, the United States and the United Arab Emirates.

Two years ago, Sinfonia Varsovia acquired the property which consists of five early 20th-century listed buildings in a park, which was used until recently by the Institute of Veterinary Studies of the Warsaw School of Agriculture. The orchestra has had no permanent home since its establishment in 1984.

The Music Director of Sinfonia Varsovia is Marc Minkowski. (mk)