The construction of the Music Centre Fuuga is nearing completion. Turku is gaining a high-quality and distinctive music centre. Fuuga is made unique by features such as the wooden architecture of the concert hall, world-class acoustics and a space with restaurants on the building
Turku’s new Music Centre Fuuga will open to the public in October 2026. The building is being completed at a fast pace, and more than 200 people are currently working on the site.
Together with Turku City Theatre, the Government Office Building and WAM, Fuuga forms a harmonious whole. The designers have drawn inspiration not only from the Aura River flowing beside the building, but also from the surrounding buildings. Copper is used in Fuuga’s façade, while wood and clay are especially visible in the interior.
The Project Has Stayed on Schedule and Within Budget
The construction of the music centre has progressed on schedule and remained within budget. The building is being constructed using a collaborative alliance model, in which the parties share responsibility for achieving the project’s quality and cost targets. The alliance consists of the City of Turku, Hartela, PES-Arkkitehdit and WSP Finland, with Laidun-design as a subcontractor.
“In Fuuga, we were able to make very good use of the best aspects of the alliance model. During the development phase, the group was able to complete the plans in such a way that all parties committed to the project’s costs and to a very high level of quality,” says Kimmo Suonpää, Director of Urban Construction Services at the City of Turku.
Acoustics Are at the Heart of Everything
Fuuga will have a concert hall seating 1,300 listeners and a smaller Ateljee Hall with 350 seats. From the very beginning, planning and construction have been guided by the goal of creating one of the world’s best concert halls in Turku.
The acoustics have been designed by top international experts, using the latest research and precise modelling. Success has required millimetre-accurate implementation, continuous quality assurance and close cooperation between designers, builders, supervisors, and suppliers.
In cooperation with Aalto University, a precise acoustic 3D model of the hall has been created, and during the design process the acoustics have been compared with other world-class concert halls.
The acoustic design of Fuuga is the responsibility of the Akukon & Kahle Acoustics consortium. The principal acoustician is Eckhard Kahle, one of the world’s most highly regarded concert hall acousticians, whose references include the Philharmonie de Paris and Stavanger Concert Hall.
Finnish Wood Ensures the Sound of the Hall
At Fuuga, Finnish wood is at the core of the acoustics, and the wooden architecture of the concert hall is internationally unique. The hall contains more than 300 different CLT wall elements milled from spruce, installed with millimetre precision.
A 3D reflection analysis has been carried out in the hall, enabling the double-curved surfaces to be tuned to exactly the right shape. This allows them to provide precisely the right amount of sound reflections for each audience area in the hall.
The concert hall’s seating areas and stage are also wooden structures. The woodwork has been carried out by Raision Puusepät, which, in addition to the wall cladding and stage, has made the double-curved railings and suspended ceilings of the balconies, the sound-directing canopy above the orchestra stage and the varied structures of the balconies.
A Home for All Music
The new music centre will become the home of the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to orchestral music, the building has been designed for a highly diverse programme and a wide range of events. The music centre has an indoor connection to the adjacent Turku City Theatre, and the programming of the two venues is planned and operated by Kulttuuriranta Oy.
From the outset, the aim has been to make Fuuga a building that is open to everyone. The rooftop terrace and restaurants will also be open outside the events held in the building.
Functionality has been a key focus in Fuuga. The building has been designed to provide spaces that are as smooth and easy to use as possible for all visitors. The facilities, routes, signage, and services are accessible. The aim has been to create a place that is easy to come to and where everyone can feel welcome.
