Eckhard Kahle, PhD
Acoustician
Founder and Director of Kahle Acoustics
Eckhard Kahle playing viola.
Professor Eckhard Kahle is a dynamic physicist and innovative applied musician. This visionary thinker, who pushes the creative boundaries of software tools and has a deep understanding of the performing arts world, has worked on hundreds of projects for the arts community.
30 years of experience.
Fluent in German, English, French.
Member of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA), USA.
Member of the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA), USA.
Member of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Akustik (DEGA), Germany.
Scientific Education
1995 PhD (acoustics): Université du Maine, Le Mans, and IRCAM, Paris, France.
1989 Diploma (physics and acoustics): RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
1988 MSc (physics) Clare College, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Musical Education
Viola player: European Community Youth Orchestra, Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic, Stavanger Symphony Orchestra, Utopia Orchestra...
Professional Experience
In June 2001, Eckhard Kahle created his own acoustic consulting company, Kahle Acoustics srl in Brussels, Belgium.
2028 Tromsø Cultural Quarter, Norway • Nordic Office of Architecture • ALA Architects.
2027 Escuela Superior de Música Reina Sofía, Madrid, Espagne • Cruz y Ortiz Arquitectos.
2027 Opéra Théâtre Eurométropole Metz, France • Fabre Speller Architectes.
2027 Nationaltheater Mannheim, Germany • Schmucker und Partner Planungsgesellschaft.
2026 De Singel, Antwerp, Belgium • Poponcini & Lootens ingenieur-architecten (POLO).
2026 MuCH, Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth, Waterloo, Belgium • SI Studio.
2026 Shenzhen Opera House, China • Ateliers Jean Nouvel.
2026 Sinfonia Varsovia Concert Hall, Warsaw, Poland • Atelier Thomas Pucher.
2026 Turku Music Hall Fuuga, Finland • PES-Arkkitehdit • WSP Finland.
On hold Reithalle St. Moritz, Switzerland • Horisberger Wagen architekten • Stehrenberger Architektur.
2026 Nationaltheatret, Oslo, Norway • Ratio Arkitekter.
2025 Kanal - Centre Pompidou, Brussels, Belgium • Sergison Bates Architects • EM2N • noAarchitecten.
2025 Smart Center, Tournai, Belgium • TANK Architectes.
2025 / 2005 Bozar, Brussels, Belgium • Atelier d'Architecture Pierre Hebbelinck.
2024 Théâtre Jean Vilar, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium • Ouest Architecture.
2023 Auditorium Maurice-Ravel, Lyon, France • Henri Pottier.
2023 Beijing Performing Arts Centre, Tongzhou District, China • BIAD.
2022 Silk Factory, Fidar, Lebanon • Ivana Nestorovic.
2022 Miraval Studios, Correns, France • Panorama Architecture.
2022 Théâtre de Beaulieu, Switzerland • Fehlmann Architects.
2022 Olavshallen, Trondheim, Norway.
2022 / 2009-2010 Eikenes Sal - University of Stavanger, Norway.
2021 GES-2, Moscow, Russia • Renzo Piano Building Workshop • APEX Project Bureau.
2021 Théâtre de Carouge, Geneva, Switzerland • Pont12 Architects.
2021 Conservatoire de Musique de Genève, Switzerland • GM Architectes Associés.
2020 Musik- und Kulturzentrum Don Bosco Basel, Switzerland • Martin Pfister Architekten.
2020 Comédie de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland • FRES Architectes.
2020 Axel Springer Media Center, Berlin, Germany • Rem Koolhaas, OMA.
2019 Andermatt Concert Hall, Switzerland • Studio Seilern Architects.
2019 Grand Théâtre de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland • Atelier March • Linea Architecture Design.
2019 Landerberghaus, Greifensee, Switzerland • Horisberger Wagen Architekten • Stehrenberger Architektur.
2019 Casino Bern, Switzerland • CampanileMichetti Architekten.
2017 / 2000 La Monnaie / De Munt, Brussels, Belgium • Origin Architecture & Engineering • A2RC Architects.
2017 Salle Pierre Dervaux, Angers, France • Rdb Architectes.
2017 Friche la Belle de Mai, Marseille, France • Caractère spécial § Matthieu Poitevin Architecture.
2016 Musikzentrum Bochum, Germany • Bez + Kock Architekten.
2016 Opéra des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland • Brodbeck-Roulet Architectes Associés.
2016 Chapelle Corneille — Auditorium de Normandie, Rouen, France • Atelier d'Architecture King Kong.
2016 Konserthuset Stockholm, Sweden.
2015 Arsonic, Mons, Belgium • Holoffe & Vermeersch • Atelier d'Architecture Laurent Niget.
2015 Philharmonie de Paris, France • Jean Nouvel, Ateliers Jean Nouvel • Brigitte Métra, Métra & Associés.
2014 Zuiderstrandtheater, The Hague, Netherlands • Thijs Mauve Architect • Jochem Groenland Architect.
2014 Flow — Centre eurorégional des Cultures urbaines, Lille, France • Atelier d'Architecture King Kong.
2014 Musikinsel Rheinau, Switzerland • Bembé Dellinger Architekten.
2014 Maison des Arts et de la Vie associative, Épernay, France • Giovanni Pace, agence d'architecture.
2014 Salle del Castillo, Vevey, Switzerland • Architecum.
2013 Shandong Grand Theater, Jinan, China • Paul Andreu Architecte • Richez Associés • BIAD.
2013 Weifang Culture & Art Center, China • RSP Architects Planners Engineers.
2013 Landestheater Linz, Austria • Terry Pawson, Terry Pawson Architects.
2013 Nordlyskatedralen Alta kirke, Norway • Link Arkitektur • Schmidt/Hammer/Lassen Architects.
2013 Le Nouveau Siècle, Lille, France • Pierre Louis Carlier Architect.
2013 Auditorium de Bordeaux, France • Michel Pétuaud-Létang, Atelier aquitain d'Architectes associés (4A).
2012-2013 Casa da Música, Porto, Portugal.
2012 Stavanger Konserthus, Norway • Ratio Arkitekter.
2012 Ensemblehaus Freiburg, Germany • Böwer Eith Murken + Vogelsang Architektur.
2012 Wuxi Grand Theatre, China • PES-Architects • Shanghai Institute of Architectural Design & Research.
2009-2012 Kerkzaal - Hermitage Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2011 L'Astrada Marciac, France • Atelier d'architecture King Kong.
2011 Muziekcentrum De Bijloke, Ghent, Belgium • Architectuuratelier Oswald Van De Sompel.
2010-2011 Orchestre symphonique et lyrique de Nancy, France • Architectuuratelier Oswald Van De Sompel.
2010 The Howard Theatre, Cambridge, United Kingdom • Quinlan & Francis Terry Architects.
2010 KKL Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland.
2009 Square Brussels Convention Centre, Brussels, Belgium • Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects.
2009 Stadthaus Winterthur, Switzerland • Johann Frei, Johann Frei Architekturbüro.
2008 Curve, Leicester, United Kingdom • Rafael Viñoly, Rafael Viñoly Architects.
2007 Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, China • ECADI.
2007 Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland • SRA Kössler & Morel.
2006 La Commanderie, Dole, France • Brigitte Métra, Métra & Associés.
2006 Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, Singapore • Liu Thai Ker, RSP Architects.
2006 Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, USA • Jean Nouvel, Ateliers Jean Nouvel.
2006 The Morgan Library & Museum, New York, USA • Renzo Piano Building Workshop.
2006 KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg), Brussels, Belgium • Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects.
Since 2009, professor at the National Music Conservatory, Karlsruhe, Germany.
From 1995 to 2001, acoustician at Artec Consultants Inc, New York, USA
Opening 2006 KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg), Brussels, Belgium • Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects.
Opening 2002 Flagey, Brussels, Belgium • Philippe Samyn & Partners Architects & Engineers • Architektenburo Storme-Van Ranst.
Opening 2001 La Monnaie / De Munt, Brussels, Belgium • Michel Verliefden, A2RC Architects.
1995 Regional Performing Arts Center, Philadelphia, USA • Rafael Viñoly Architects.
2000 SangNam Hall, LG Arts Center, Seoul, South Korea • Skidmore Owings & Merrill.
1998 Auditorium de Dijon, France • Arquitectonica • Bougeault & Walgenwitz • Martinet.
1995 KKL Luzern, Lucerne, Switzerland • Ateliers Jean Nouvel.
Publications
Lecturer and author: Scientific articles publications in journals and conference proceedings in Europe, United Kingdom and North America.
Eckhard Kahle, PhD, Key Reference Projects
Eckhard Kahle, PhD, Biography
Education
Eckhard Kahle was born in Germany in 1963. After obtaining a Vordiplom at the University of Bonn, he continued his studies of physics at Clare College, Cambridge (England), receiving a Master of Philosophy in Physics for his work in modelling the microstructure of wood used by violinmakers when creating the front plates of stringed instruments. Dr. Kahle then returned to Germany where he completed his physics degree, with a major in acoustics, at the University in Aachen. He then joined the room acoustics group at IRCAM — Pierre Boulez' Institute for Research in Music and Acoustics — in Paris (France), working on an objective model of the perception of acoustical quality in concert halls, opera houses, and recital halls. This model was validated with his doctoral thesis, based on a series of extensive objective acoustical measurements and subjective listening tests in several European facilities for music performance. His thesis jury included some of the world's most accomplished researchers in the field of room acoustics.
Musical Experience
In parallel, Eckhard Kahle has pursued a professional career as viola player. He was a long-standing member of the European Community Youth Orchestra, holding the position of principal viola at the time of his departure. In this capacity, he has performed with outstanding conductors and musicians such as Claudio Abbado, Zubin Mehta, Radu Lupu, and Leonard Bernstein. He also performed with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe under the direction of Roger Norrington and Vladimir Jurowski and held the position of viola soloist for the Ensemble baroque de Limoges, led by the cellist Christophe Coin, while pursuing his studies in France.
Acoustical Consulting Experience
In 1995, Dr. Kahle joined the acoustic consulting firm Artec Consultants Inc, based in New York, one of the world leaders in the acoustic design of performance spaces. He made important contributions to a number of Artec projects, including the Culture and Congress Center (KKL), Luzern, and the Salle du Métropole, Lausanne, Switzerland; the Auditorium de Dijon, France; the Regional Performing Arts Center, Philadelphia; the Orange County Performing Arts Center, California; the SangNam Hall, LG Arts Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; the Flemish Theatre (KVS), the Maison de la Radio, and the Théâtre royal de La Monnaie, Brussels, Belgium.
Kahle Acoustics Reference Projects
In June 2001, Eckhard Kahle moved to Brussels and founded his own company, Kahle Acoustics srl.
Since then, Eckhard has built lasting relationships with architects, orchestras, music schools and concert halls around the world. Always keen to be involved from the outset, Eckhard oversees all major projects at Kahle Acoustics and paves the way for a tailor-made solution for each one. Whether it's a small-scale project, a limited intervention on an iconic space or a promising feasibility study on a remote part of a continent, you can be sure that Eckhard and his team will get the job done.
List of Eckhard Kahle Professional Experience
Publications and Teaching
Since 1988, Eckhard Kahle publishes a large number of scientific articles in journals and seminars proceedings in France, Belgium Switzerland, Germany, England and North America. He is regularly invited to give lectures and Master classes. He is Professor at the National Music Conservatory in Karlsruhe, Germany.
