A new cultural icon in the heart of Santiago
Next to Plaza Italia — one of Santiago’s most iconic and central landmarks — a new space is reshaping the city’s cultural landscape: the National Symphony Hall of the University of Chile. Located inside the CEAC (Artistic and Cultural Extension Center), this hall offers an immersive, 360° design and seating for 1,078 people. It was created to deliver pure, natural acoustics without any electrical amplification.
A space designed for real, unamplified sound
The hall was designed by Argentine engineer and violinist Gustavo Basso, who specializes in musical acoustics. He envisioned a space where the sound would be honest, direct, and immersive. This venue doesn’t include a traditional stage box or curtains. It isn’t a theater — it’s a concert hall built specifically for live, unamplified music.
This makes a huge difference. Musicians don’t need to force their instruments. A subtle breath or a soft stroke of the bow fills the space with sound. The room responds naturally, creating a sense of presence that speakers or headphones simply can’t replicate.
A response to the digital age
In today’s world, we listen to music through high-quality digital devices. Headphones and phones offer impressive sound. But this hall offers something they can’t: reality.
“The goal is to make people feel surrounded by sound,” says Basso. “It’s not just hearing it — it’s being inside it.”
Every part of the design aims to achieve this. From materials to layout, everything was planned to maximize the acoustic experience. The sound reaches every corner of the hall with clarity, making each concert deeply engaging.
A new hub for music and learning
The National Symphony Hall is part of the new VM20 University Complex, which will also host the Faculty of Government, the Institute of International Studies, and other academic institutions. Together, they will form a new cultural and educational center in Santiago.
For music lovers, curious travelers, or anyone looking for a unique experience in the city, this space offers something truly special. It invites you to rediscover music as it was meant to be: alive, shared, and heard with all your senses.
Because once you hear it here, you’ll know — some sounds are too real to fit into a pair of earbuds.
Find out more about what’s happening at CEAC at Ceacuchile.cl
