Upgrade complete for unique performance space in Copenhagen

Copenhagen’s iconic circus building has opened its doors after an extensive restoration designed by Tenderstream member Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects. As the oldest permanent circus building of its kind in Europe, Cirkusbygningen was inaugurated in 1886 and today hosts diverse events, from award shows and corporate parties to concerts, talk shows, and lectures. Hidden behind construction fences and ‘no entry’ signs since April, the building has undergone a comprehensive upgrade to restore the structure to its former glory, while also adapting it to modern needs.

A central element in the restoration is the colour and lighting scheme that Verner Panton created for the building in 1984, which left a significant mark on the building's identity. Signe Baadsgaard, architect and partner at Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects, explained: "The colour and lighting are essential for the restoration. It has had a huge impact on the Circus Building's identity, because Panton let light and color enter into dialogue with the building's architecture and function. Through his work, he interpreted the circus theme, and that is what we are looking back to with the renovation."

On the exterior, selected facing bricks in the façade have been replaced, while the distinctive frieze of racehorses encircling the building has been refurbished. The arched window above the entrance has been reinstated, and the original domed roof has been sealed and cleaned. At the same time, developer Balder took the opportunity to upgrade several of the property’s technical installations, while indoors, extensive restoration work has been carried out in the vestibule, foyers, bar areas, cloakrooms, and restrooms. Several unforeseen challenges emerged during the restoration process, which placed great demands on the project group’s flexibility, precision, and technical expertise.

Signe Baadsgaard stated: “We have worked with the conservation of preserved historic elements, we have recreated lost architectural features, and we have added new functions and modern comforts so the building will remain useful for many years to come. The art lies in weaving all the layers of the building’s history into a whole, where every element resonates despite their different historical origins. I believe we have succeeded, so that Cirkusbygningen now offers both historic depth and modern comfort.”

Lucy Nordberg
Tenderstream Head of Research

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