{"id":495727,"date":"2026-05-21T11:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/495727\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:53:14","slug":"timber-wraps-around-out-of-the-ordinary-ishoj-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/495727\/","title":{"rendered":"Timber wraps around “out-of-the-ordinary” Ish\u00f8j Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

Local studios Svendborg Architects<\/a> and Wohlert Arkitekter have completed Ish\u00f8j Theatre in Denmark<\/a>, designing a timber-clad<\/a> facade with curved openings that evokes stage curtains.<\/p>\n

Located in the Tranegilde district of Ish\u00f8j, the 1,300-square-metre children’s theatre<\/a> overlooks its rural surroundings through a series of arched windows in its facade, designed as nods to the world of theatre.<\/p>\n

\"CulturalSvendborg Architects and Wohlert Arkitekter have completed Ish\u00f8j Theatre in Denmark<\/p>\n

“We sought to highlight the building’s function as a theatre and give it an expression that arises from the site’s beautiful landscape views and its content, which are both magical and out of the ordinary,” Svendborg Architects<\/a> founder Johnny Svendborg told Dezeen.<\/p>\n

“The rhythmic wooden arches in the facades, in both large and small scale, are facing down as well as up, a subtle reference to comedy and tragedy masks,” he continued. “They can also be interpreted as cut from the beam of a theatre spotlight, or as proscenium curtains.”<\/p>\n

\"Ish\u00f8jA curved opening references the parting of stage curtains<\/p>\n

Ish\u00f8j Theatre’s rectilinear layout sees the main auditorium positioned in its centre, wrapped by an L-shaped arrangement of back-of-house spaces to the northeast and large, open foyers to the west.<\/p>\n

The timber facade’s curtain-like opening leads into an area of sheltered outdoor seating, before passing through a glazed arch into the main foyer.<\/p>\n

\"Ish\u00f8jArched windows punctuate its facade<\/p>\n

Red stage curtains draped over exposed concrete walls demarcate the entrances into the auditorium from the foyer and a skylit corridor to the east, complemented by red linoleum floors and a high-level mirror.<\/p>\n

“Red curtains, a vertical view of the sky, carefully framed low views towards the fields, and a gradual sequence of spaces all contribute to the transition from everyday life into the world of theatre,” said Svendborg.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"HVS<\/p>\n

Studio Gang covers theatre for Hudson Valley Shakespeare with mass-timber shell\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

“Rather than relying on signage, the building guides its visitors through atmosphere, orientation, and spatial experience, creating an intuitive wayfinding system for children and other theatre guests,” he added.<\/p>\n

The auditorium itself was designed as a “raw and robust” black box, with movable seating tiers and black curtains, allowing for a range of different performance types and audience configurations.<\/p>\n

\"CulturalRed stage curtains demarcate the entrances into the auditorium<\/p>\n

The back-of-house spaces have also been left with raw finishes and exposed services.<\/p>\n

To the northwest, a smaller studio space overlooks the landscape through a large arched window.<\/p>\n

\"BackThe back-of-house spaces have been left with raw finishes<\/p>\n

Externally, the building has been clad in thin vertical timber planks, intended as a reference to the traditional Danish barns that dot the surrounding landscape.<\/p>\n

Other theatre projects recently featured on Dezeen include Haworth Tompkins’ renovation and extension of the Grade-II listed Theatr Clwyd in Wales<\/a>, and Studio Gang created a performance space for Hudson Valley Shakespeare with a mass-timber shell<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The photography is by Hampus Berndtson<\/a>.<\/p>\n