Across the sweeping agricultural plains of Slavonia in eastern Croatia, the horizon is typically defined by furrowed earth, cultivated fields, and open sky. In Čepin, however, this quiet rural geometry is acquiring a striking new anchor.

Currently under construction and slated to open in early 2027, EVE Music Hall marks a pair of significant milestones for the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG): it is both the Danish firm’s debut project in Croatia and its first completed standalone music venue globally. Developed in partnership with entrepreneur Marko Pipunić, the 10,000-square-meter complex reimagines how monumental civic architecture can integrate with an agrarian landscape.

The Geometry of Farmland and Theater

Rather than imposing an alien monolithic block upon the countryside, BIG’s design translates the rhythmic furrows of Slavonia’s agricultural fields into structural form. The development splits its footprint between two dedicated facilities—a dedicated performance hall for concerts and a congress hall tailored for exhibitions and conferences—linked by a soaring, communal foyer.

The building’s signature feature is its exterior shell: draped sheets of locally quarried limestone that curve downward like heavy theater curtains frozen mid-reveal. The stone planes extend all the way to the terrain, flattening out at ground level to form integrated public benches and gathering ledges.

Where the stone curtains peel back, carved glass openings frame panoramic views across the fields while guiding visitors toward primary entrances. Reflective metal panels interspersed along the facade catch the changing ambient light, shifting the building’s tone across seasons.

A Wooden Canopy Beneath Mirror and Light

Stepping through the stone envelope into the central foyer reveals a warm interior atmosphere dominated by natural timber. Curving wooden glulam beams arch overhead, constructing a tent-like canopy that shelters the circulation space between the two auditoriums.

Mirrored interior walls reflect the timber roof frame, creating an optical illusion of an endless forest canopy stretched beneath the sky. Public paths lead upward to an accessible rooftop terrace, where visitors can gaze across the surrounding farmland and the outdoor festival grounds below—a venue capable of hosting up to 25,000 spectators.

While the indoor facilities comfortably seat nearly 4,000 guests, the project’s true ambition lies in its public integration. By softening monumental stone into accessible public seating and grounding the design in local quarrying tradition, BIG establishes a blueprint for regional cultural infrastructure. As construction continues toward its 2027 completion, EVE Music Hall stands as a testament to how modern architecture can derive its form directly from the soil it rests upon.