Roja Open Air Concert Hall consists from three parts – stage, spectator tribunes and roof. Stage and tribunes are divided in several smaller volumes according to local small building scale context in Roja city. Finishing material is wood planks – a traditional and widely used material in the sea side region that also successfully corresponds to surrounding forest. The building roof is designed as unifying element of the concert hall. Its covering is made from special fabric that diffuses direct sunlight and protects spectators from rain. The roof can be partly or fully open corresponding to particular weather situation. Considering the seasonal character of the concert hall, in the winter roof would be fully open. In this way snow loads would not be counted and that would reduce load bearing structure dimensions and cost to minimum.

Concert hall allows changing spectator arrangement and stage size, making it flexible for different events, starting from large scale song festivals to small theatre plays. The stage is divided in three functional parts – stage, backstage and auxiliary rooms. Side walls of the stage can be transformed to adjust stage for different events. Stage size is 20 x 30 m, covered with wood planks, height is 1,5m and in can be accessed from sides. The storage is at the back of the concert hall providing handy delivery of decorations and equipment, as well as direct link between backstage and storage is made. Backstage works as a functional link between stage and auxiliary rooms. At the back of the stage is covered space for decoration and equipment deliveries.
Spectator tribunes are designed for 1500 spectator seats in three sections and 1000 stand up places on the both sides of tribunes. The inclination of tribunes is calculated to provide optimal view from every seat or stand-up place. Spectator arrangement in tribunes can be rearranged in different ways depending from scale and particularity of every event. Around tribunes is created 10 m wide zone covered with roof to ensure comfortable spectator movement in bad weather conditions.
Between stage and tribunes is designed dance area and access of dancers is organized from covered zones in both sides of the stage. There is possibility to place 700 extra seats in dance area closer to stage that is important when organizing small scale events.

The concert hall is placed in the site considering accessibility, surrounding context and acoustic particularities. It is oriented perpendicular to sea coast line and existing parking, as well as parallel to nearby existing buildings. The stage is at the sea side providing wind shelter for artists and view towards the sea to spectators. Designed landscape is very compact to leave as much as possible natural forest that serves as a buffer from surrounding car traffic and other noise.
A new pedestrian path is organized along Ostas street. It serves as the main pedestrian flow axe during events and it is closed for private transport at that time. Parallel to existing electrical line is designed new road that provides car access to parking and stage delivery area. Along both long sides of the concert hall is designed park and commercial area for 20 temporary trade tents. The new park can be used as an attractive recreational area all year long. Car parking is designed by extending existing parking to Ostas street direction achieving 250 car places. Daily it can be used by people visiting sea or surrounding buildings.

Authors: Maris Bardins , Didzis Jaunzems