The Court Theatre

The Court Theatre was a place of leisure in the heart of the Danish Kingdom. Established by King Christian XII as his private theatre, it was an extravagant place for the powerful and royal. A break from official duties, it allowed an indulgence in mask balls, italian operas, ballets for more than hundred years. A place graced by famous historical figures such as Struensee, August Bournonville, Johanne Luise Heiberg, Grevinde Danner and an young H.C. Andersen.

It was etablished in 1767 as a hidden retreat for the elite, which even today remains as one the best kept secrets of the historical inner Copenhagen. Not only is it the only baroque theatre in Denmark. It has an distinct atmosphere where historical plots, drama and power struggles are almost embedded into the existing architecture. It is the secrets it holds that makes the Court Theatre intriguing.

Today the Court Theatre is also a museum. Placed on the first floor, above the royal horse stables, the architectural task was to create a functional entrance area that respects the essence of the place. The current entrance situation is a simple and narrow staircase, leading up to the first floor. It is neither handicap accessible nor does it fulfill the requirements of the museum but its pure modesty builds up a dramatic expectation before arriving to the beautiful theatre.

Our architectural starting point was to maintain the experience of “The Secret Theatre”. Learning from the existing staircase, we propose a new one, a contemporary twin, that functionally, yet subtly solves the visitor circulation and museum requirements while honoring the architectural experience of the original theatre. It is simple architectural intervention and transformation that seek to strike the fine balance between new and old.

Program: Entrance renovation of the court theatre
Size: +200 m2
Location: Christiansborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
Client: Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen
Year: 2019
Type: Invited competition
Collaborators: Varmings Tegnestue, Gaihede, Regnestuen and DBI
Role: Architectural advisor
Team JAJA: Jan Tanaka, Jakob S. Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Sam De Boever, Pola Koch

The Secret Entrance

The modest arrival to the theater builds up a dramatic expectation that beautifully unfolds as one ventures further into the heart of the building.

The Secret Entrance

The modest arrival to the theater builds up a dramatic expectation that beautifully unfolds as one ventures further into the heart of the building.

The secret exit

As a countpart to the existing staircase, the new intervention also a modest, simple yet sculptural stair that leads visitors from the dark baroque theatre back out into the surrounding world.

The secret exit

As a countpart to the existing staircase, the new intervention also a modest, simple yet sculptural stair that leads visitors from the dark baroque theatre back out into the surrounding world.

Program: Entrance renovation of the court theatre
Size: +200 m2
Location: Christiansborg, Copenhagen, Denmark
Client: Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen
Year: 2019
Type: Invited competition
Collaborators: Varmings Tegnestue, Gaihede, Regnestuen and DBI
Role: Architectural advisor
Team JAJA: Jan Tanaka, Jakob S. Christensen, Kathrin Gimmel, Sam De Boever, Pola Koch