Since 2019, Snøhetta, working alongside Christener Architects, Schuler Shook, BSI Constructors, and Kirkegaard, has led the renovation and expansion of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s iconic Powell Hall.
Timed to coincide with the hall’s 100th anniversary in 2025, the ambitious 64,000-square-foot project redefines the venue as a more accessible and community-centered space, supporting every stage of the creative journey from concept to performance.
The renewed Powell Hall integrates expanded public areas, a larger lobby, and upgraded backstage facilities. Universal accessibility, new educational spaces, and improved resources for performers ensure that the hall serves not only as a concert venue but also as a hub for learning and community engagement.
Inspired by both historic concert halls and the instruments themselves, the design features a striking entry made of angled masonry shells, accented with arched openings and generous urban windows. These invite passersby to glimpse the vibrancy within. Inside, interconnected gathering spaces rise through a triple-height atrium, with terraces that create layered views, allowing visitors to see and connect with one another before performances.
The renovation also extends outward, with a redesigned public plaza at Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive. Bathed in natural light, this civic square extends the energy of the concert hall outdoors. The flexible space accommodates gatherings before performances, integrates vehicle drop-off, and introduces gardens that invite quiet moments of reflection.
Circulation throughout the site is fluid, with multiple accessible pathways and landscaped groves framing the entrances, offering a welcoming sense of arrival.
Behind the scenes, a new east-side expansion provides state-of-the-art rehearsal rooms, backstage amenities, media and recording studios, and flexible spaces for staff, musicians, and community programming. These facilities foster collaboration across disciplines and strengthen the orchestra’s role as a center of cultural innovation.
With its renewal, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra affirms its dedication to music, community, and creativity—honoring a century of history while setting a bold new standard for concert halls of the future.
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Source: Snøhetta's Press Office
Photos: ©Sam Fentress
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