Odsherred Theatre

Nykøbing Sjælland

GOAL no. 11, 15, 16

How can half-empty city centres be revitalized? In the town of Nykøbing Sjælland, the local theatre has moved into the former supermarket on the main street. This has given urban life a visible and palpable boost.

Half-empty streets, shuttered shops and defunct train stations. That is the result when key functions in society move out of the town centre and into the larger cities, and commerce moves online or into shopping malls. However, it is possible to boost the town centre and make it a catalyst of regional development.

Odsherred Municipality is just over an hour’s drive from Copenhagen and is known for its many holiday homes, villages and small towns close to nature. The area is also struggling with depopulation and an aging population.

In an effort to kickstart a positive development, Odsherred Municipality bought the former supermarket on the main street in the largest town and turned it into the new venue of the regional theatre. The transformed building contains a café and a small auditorium in addition to a new-built auditorium towards the back. The extension houses a 1,000 m² black-box auditorium with an audience capacity of 230 as well as a workshop, wardrobes, a meeting room, offices and a lounge.

The architectural inspiration came from a spotlight’s matt black exterior and golden, reflecting interior. The glass facade offers tiny glimpses of the illuminated interior space. Outside, a small, furnished square forms a setting for happenings and improvised events that vitalize the public space.

The architecture visually connects the theatre with the surroundings and helps to cement its role as a local cultural beacon – a living building that brings life to the city centre the year round. The project demonstrates that investments in the city centre and local cultural activities can help make an area more attractive and kickstart local development.

Project details

Where: Algade 36, 4500 Nykøbing Sjælland

Completed: 2021

Client: Odsherred Theatre and Odsherred Municipality Architects and advisors: Christensen & Co Architects, Primus Architects, STED by og landskab (landscape), Oluf Jørgensen A/S (engineer), Sweco (acoustics), COWI (fire safety and strategy)