Round theatre with raw charm

The Limfjordsteatret theatre is a slightly different cultural centre which is taking the island of Mors in western Denmark to new heights.

Sound-absorbing cement-bonded wood wool panels from Troldtekt are often used as acoustic ceilings in cultural institutions
Photo: Thomas Mølvig, architect

The new theatre building in Nykøbing Mors is situated a couple of kilometres from the town centre, but at the heart of a large and thriving educational environment with 2,000 students. 

The existing upper secondary school buildings, which offer a wide range of upper secondary education programmes, were designed by Friis & Molkte Architects and inaugurated in 1982. The architectural challenge was therefore to respectfully integrate a distinctive theatre into an architecturally harmonious whole.

Limfjordsteatret was designed by the architect Boris Brorman Jensen with CEBRA architecture as the project planners. It was soon decided that the building should be circular and thus directionless without any front or back. Boris Brorman Jensen says:

“The overall design is geometrically simple, but with a highly evocative volume with clear references to the special atmosphere of the theatre world. An effective and raw 360°-theatre machine, which over the years can develop its own inner scenography, and evolve into a unique theatrical universe.”

Black boxes and light offices

The theatre has been planned around the three ‘black boxes’ – the main auditorium, a rehearsal room and a multi-purpose hall. The other production rooms and administrative areas are stacked on two floors around the three ‘boxes’. Around them is a high-ceilinged foyer with slender glulam columns and exposed beams which altogether form a circle with 52 ‘facets’.

Troldtekt acoustic ceilings contribute to the dynamic interior design in most of the rooms, i.e. the foyer, auditoria, offices and staff facilities.  Discreet and effective sound absorption for very differing situations and in varying shades of colour: white-painted, grey-painted and coal-black in the auditoria.