The University of Chile is finalizing preparations to inaugurate the long-awaited National Symphony Hall, located in the institution’s VM20 complex. This is the first concert hall in the country designed with natural and immersive 360° acoustics, created to deliver an exceptional, high-quality sound experience in each of its 1,134 seats.
The acoustic project has been led by engineer and violinist Gustavo Basso, in collaboration with professor and architect Andrea Farina, positioning the hall as a national benchmark for symphonic music. In June, open rehearsals for the public were held under the direction of maestro Christian Lorca; this stage was crucial for fine-tuning the hall’s acoustics.
The official inauguration will take place on Thursday, July 10, with a protocol concert conducted by guest conductor Maximiano Valdés, while performances open to the public will be held on July 11 and 12. As highlighted by the rector of the University of Chile, Rosa Devés, in the digital media outlet El Mostrador, this milestone represents “reaching the finish line after a long journey,” reflecting the university’s institutional commitment to culture.
To furnish the hall, Figueras supplied the Minispace 5071 model, a chair with an elegant and ergonomic design. It is a compact seat: when folded, it occupies only 20 cm in depth, making it ideal for auditoriums and concert halls. Additionally, it offers excellent acoustic performance thanks to its components and finishes. According to statements by Basso to Chilean outlet El Mostrador, “the seats and the audience are the main elements of acoustic absorption.”
Figueras is proud to be part of projects of this magnitude, which bring together art, innovation, and design to enrich the community’s cultural life.
