Odsherred Theatre

Laboratory of performance

"Odsherred Theatre is a huge gain for the city and the area. It makes a big contribution to the municipality's profile as an active and attractive settlement area, and it also strengthens the business in the community because of the strong cultural offers."
Thomas Adelskov, Mayor of Odsherred Municipality.

Odsherred Theatre is like a lantern – black and dark on the outside with shiny, golden reflections within. The main façade is black terracotta bricks and is reminiscent of ‘the stage curtain’. Large windows allow people who pass by to look into the theatre and follow the everyday life in a laboratory of performance. The back of the theatre architecture is inspired by the aesthetics of mechanics used inside. Parts of the façade offer views to the interior of the building and the back of the building can be opened, creating a connection between the stage room and the surrounding local area. Between the outdoor areas and the stage room is a workshop where props, sets and other items for the theatre are produced. The secret jewel of the building – the stage room – is clad in golden copper that reflects the surroundings. The new building is seamlessly connected to the existing theatre by a large internal staircase. Thus, the overall theatre architecture forms the foundation of a community-based cultural venue.

The theatre as a laboratory

Odsherred Theatre is a contemporary laboratory of culture and a local social hub for the entire city. In other words, it is a performance space for social interaction. We have specifically designed the theatre’s architecture as a cultural catalyst that actively engages with the local community. This includes a new urban space created at the main entrance, flowing out into the pedestrian street, central to the city. Here an intimate urban square offers the local community access to a setting of urban furniture designed for leisure and play. The small street scene at Odsherred Theatre’s main entrance provides the ideal setting for small happenings and improvisations that intervene in the pedestrians’ everyday life.

“The cultural life is definitely a crucial engine for growth and development, and, with its very beautiful and exciting settings, our lively and flexible theatre makes it possible to develop, unfold and experience – for the benefit of both the theatre, the audience and the citizens, the entire city and the municipality. ”- Chairman of the Building Fund Odsherred Theatre, director Lars Nybjerg in a press release from Odsherred municipality.

Theatre architecture addressing the Sustainable Development Goals

In creating the theatre architecture, we have worked with issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the project was not designed to address the global goals. We have worked with issues related to SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities.

Client: Odsherred municipality, Odsherred Theatre
Area: 1000 m2
Year: 2020
Location: Odsherred, Nykøbing Sjælland
Collaborators: Primus, STED, Oluf Jørgensen A/S, Sweco, Inoconsult, Cowi
Funding: A.P Møller fonden
Images: Niels Nygaard