The renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta has successfully completed a transformative 64,000-square-foot expansion and modernization of Powell Hall, the historic home of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in Missouri. The ambitious project, which began in 2019, was designed to celebrate the concert hall's centennial anniversary in 2025 while creating a more accessible and community-focused cultural facility.
Working in collaboration with Christner Architects as the architect of record, along with theatre planning consultant Schuler Shook, construction manager BSI Constructors, and acoustics design firm Kirkegaard, Snøhetta served as both the design architect and landscape architect for this comprehensive renovation. The project aimed to transform the venue from a traditional performance space into a facility that supports and nurtures the complete creative process from initial conception to final performance.
The architectural design draws inspiration from the spatial language of historic concert halls and the musical instruments housed within them. The new entry is characterized by a series of canted shells constructed from raked masonry, creating a distinctive front-of-house addition defined by simple inclined surfaces and graceful arched openings. These arched urban windows are designed to convey a sense of joy and creative energy, offering passersby glimpses of the vibrant activity within even before they enter the building.
Inside the expanded facility, visitors encounter a sophisticated suite of gathering areas situated within a dramatic triple-height space. The interior design features terraces that overlook one another, creating dynamic sightlines that allow visitors to both observe and be observed while attending performances. This design approach fosters a sense of community engagement and social interaction that extends beyond the traditional concert hall experience.
Drawing further inspiration from the lyrical nature of music itself, Snøhetta has created a renewed public plaza at the prominent corner of Grand Boulevard and Samuel Shepard Drive. This welcoming, sunlit square brings the concert hall's activities outdoors and serves multiple functions. The plaza operates as a gathering space before events, integrates vehicle drop-off areas further east, and features plant-filled gardens that provide natural beauty and tranquility for all visitors to enjoy.
The thoughtfully designed circulation patterns throughout the site include fluid arrival zones that efficiently move people to their destinations while providing flexible spaces for various programming needs. Multiple accessible pathways approach the plaza from different directions, ensuring universal accessibility. Towering groves of carefully selected plantings frame the entries, extending a sense of welcome and hospitality to all visitors approaching the venue.
A significant back-of-house expansion along the eastern side of Powell Hall provides state-of-the-art facilities for staff members and musicians. These new spaces support community events, educational activities, and collaborative programming across artistic disciplines, positioning the venue as a hub for innovation in the performing arts. The expansion includes modernized rehearsal spaces specifically designed for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra ensembles, expanded backstage rooms, cutting-edge media and recording suites, and ample storage areas for both resident musicians and visiting guest artists.
The comprehensive renovation ensures that Powell Hall meets contemporary standards for universal accessibility while opening the historic venue more fully to the broader community. The collection of new public spaces works in concert with the expanded lobby and enhanced back-of-house facilities to provide educational opportunities and improved performance spaces that enhance all aspects of community engagement with the concert hall.
Photographer Sam Fentress documented the completed project, capturing the seamless integration of Snøhetta's contemporary architectural interventions with the historic character of the original building. The materials palette includes products from manufacturers such as POHL, 9Wood, Dawson, Interstate Brick, Kawneer, and Series Seat, all carefully selected to complement both the building's heritage and its modern functionality.
This reconceptualized St. Louis Symphony Orchestra facility represents a renewed commitment to music, artistic collaboration, and community engagement. By establishing new standards for concert hall design and operation, the project creates a resonant dialogue between the venue's distinguished past and its promising future, ensuring that Powell Hall will continue to serve as a vital cultural anchor for St. Louis and the broader region for generations to come.
