VILCO: KONGRESSZENTRUM

UNVEILING THE VILCO: KONGRESSZENTRUM FRANKFURT / RHEIN-MAIN

With its contemporary design, versatile layout, and commitment to delivering top-notch performances, the newly-completed Vilco has firmly established itself as a premier event hall on a national and international level.

Serving a catchment area of 10 million people, this sleek multipurpose venue in the north of Frankfurt champions active acoustics to meet the demands of classical symphonies, rock, pop, and theater performances, as well as lectures and conference events in the space designed by Vielmo Architects (Berlin).

The hall boasts a spacious floor plan measuring 45.5 meters in length and 27.7 meters in width. Its expansive ceiling reaches 13.5 meters, creating an open and airy atmosphere. With a total volume of 17,000 cubic meters and a volume up to the lower edge of the ceiling reflectors of 12,500 cubic meters, the Vilco can accommodate various seating arrangements, ranging from 400 banquet seats with a stage to approximately 2,000 standing places for concerts and club nights.

Since the room was designed for music events with electro-acoustic amplification and for conference events—and not exclusively for classical concert use—extensive variable acoustic measures to mechanically adapt the acoustics to different uses were not planned. Instead, optimal acoustics are created for classical concerts via Amadeus Active Acoustics. Working with Tonmeisters Jörn Nettingsmeier (VDT) and Olaf Schubert (MdW), Amadeus Acoustics adapted the Vilco to the highest acoustic standards ensuring exceptional performing and listening conditions for classical concerts and leveraging the hall's 72 Renkus-Heinz Loudspeakers and 32 Audiotechnica microphones to serve multiple needs at the touch of a button through the Amadeus Core.

Memorable moments from the inauguration include pianist Nuron Mukumi’s exquisite interpretations of pieces by Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt, which left the audience in awe. The Bad Vilbel Chamber Orchestra, led by conductor Klaus Albert Bauer, captivated the crowd with a stirring rendition of the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, "An die Freude" (Ode to Joy). The thunderous applause that followed was a testament to the Vilco's commitment to delivering exceptional performances and engaging experiences.  

The Vilco's journey to its memorable inauguration was supported through key milestones achieved by system integrator AVEO, whose outstanding work during the installation of the Amadeus Active Acoustics was pivotal in bringing the venue to life. Additionally, the German distributor of Amadeus, Michael Vössing from MediasPro, played a vital role in the successful completion of the project. The state-of-the-art venue promises an unforgettable experience for both artists and attendees and distinguished cultural enrichment that will redefine Frankfurt's event landscape.