The brief was to design a unique and distinctive upscale venue for a 1,000-seat concert hall in a new urban district which could also be used for musical, theatrical and operatic productions. The architectural character of the building was influenced by the grand style of modern Omani palaces, and reflects their design features and circulation patterns. The front entrance is an expansive palm-treed piazza backed by five tall, arched entryways into a hall that forms the central focus of a colonnade designed to create a grand entrance. The structure was finished in locally-sourced limestone and complementary stucco. The venue incorporates a movable acoustic shell within the stage area and adjustable proscenium elements to create alternative acoustic configurations and stage formats to suit the various requirements. These elements provide a unique, adaptable volume control arrangement which gives unparalleled natural acoustic potential.