Bozar, Brussels
2026: This renovation was focused on two halls, Salle M and the Studio, along with their cloakrooms and dressing rooms and aimed at highlighting premises and the architect Horta's work while improving its functionality. The renovation took place while Bozar remained open to the public.
2005: The Palais des Beaux-Arts, listed building, designed by Victor Horta in the 1920s (and inaugurated in 1928), needed some adaptations in order to host the music festival Klara in the Horta Hall, and multimedia events in the Terarken hall(s), which can now be divided into three rooms thanks to acoustic sliding doors.
Information Sheet
Renovation/Transformation Bozar www.bozar.be
Location Brussels, Belgium. Listed building.
Owner Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar).
M Hall + Studio
Project Cost 6.8 million €.
Time Frame Design: 2018-2019. Construction: 2020-2025. Opening: February 2026.
Architect(s) Atelier d'Architecture Pierre Hebbelinck, Belgium www.pierrehebbelinck.net
Theatre Planner(s) ArtSceno, Switzerland artsceno.ch
Seat Count The M Hall, or the former chamber music-hall of 400-seats and the Studio; the former recital hall, of 210 seats; respectively of 630 et 252 m².
Uses Cultural entity dedicated to exhibitions, festivals and lectures gravitating around music, architecture and art in general.
Services Comprehensive acoustic consulting services including acoustic concept, room acoustics, sound isolation and noise control design, construction supervision and post-opening services.
Team Yann Jurkiewicz, Thomas Wulfrank, Eckhard Kahle, Kahle Acoustics.
Henry Le Bœuf Hall + Horta Hall + Terarken Hall(s)
Project Cost Non-available.
Time Frame Design: 2002-2005.
Architect(s) Georges Baines (Multimedia rooms Terarken); Barbara Van der Wee (Master plan and Henry Le Bœuf Hall doors); Christian Kieckens (Hall Horta installation), Belgium www.christiankieckens.be
Seat Count Terarken hall: 750-seat, or three 250-seat rooms thanks to acoustic sliding doors, total area 1 000 m². Horta hall: 500-seat, total area 500 m². Henry Le Bœuf hall: 2 100 seats.
Uses Chamber music and amplified music, exhibitions, projections, performances, conferences, multimedia.
Services Acoustic consulting services for the new multimedia rooms — Terarken hall(s) — (acoustic sliding doors concept); concept and supervision of acoustical installations in Horta hall for the Klara music festival; acoustical improvements of the Henry Le Bœuf hall doors; and participation to the Bozar master plan elaboration.
Team Eckhard Kahle, Project Manager, Nathalie Faillet, Kahle Acoustics.
Hall Horta. Due to the installation of discreetly integrated acoustic ceiling banners and absorbing wall panels, the foyer was transformed into a 500-seat chamber music hall for the Klara Music Festival. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Hall Horta. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Terarken Hall(s). Newly transformed room for multimedia projects and exhibitions for up to 775 seated people. Sliding acoustic partitions allow subdivision into two or three smaller rooms with 250 seats each. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. Acoustic tests and tuning of the thoroughly renovated hall with apparent reinforced concrete and Canadian walnut wall and ceiling panelling. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. Acoustic tests and tuning of the thoroughly renovated hall with apparent reinforced concrete and Canadian walnut wall and ceiling panelling (as seen from the stage). Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. View from the rearmost seat onto the thoroughly renovated hall with apparent reinforced concrete and Canadian walnut wall and ceiling panelling. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. Final touch prior to the inaugural concert by Nikola Meeuwsen pianist, 1st prize winner of the 2025 Queen Elisabeth international competition, in the thoroughly renovated Salle M with apparent reinforced concrete (in keeping with Victor Horta's wish for the Bozar building which opened in 1928) and Canadian walnut wall and ceiling panelling. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M's wall and ceiling panelling in Canadian walnut with apparent reinforced concrete beam structure. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. Lateral hallway (stage right), which reverberant acoustic volume contributes to the room acoustics. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Lateral hallway (stage right), which reverberant acoustic volume contributes to the room acoustics. Photo © Kahle Acoustics
Salle M. Lateral hallway (stage right), which reverberant acoustic volume contributes to the room acoustics. Photo © Kahle Acoustics