TheaterMax at Østre Gasværk Theater
When the former gasworks in Østerbro, Copenhagen, was converted into a theatre in the early 1980s, the building was allowed to retain its raw, industrial look. Over the years, it has provided a unique backdrop for performances at what is also known as Østre Gasværk Teater. This setting creates a special atmosphere but also presents challenges when producing theatre. In a traditional theatre space, you can hide things away on the side and back stages and in the stage tower. At Østre Gasværk, this is not possible, as the round space is open and the audience has a 180-degree view of the building’s raw walls.
When Søren Møller became the new theatre director in 2022, a new and exciting concept called TheatreMax came to light. Instead of creating traditional theatre where you hide things away, Søren Møller had the ambition to transform the theatre hall into a huge, self-enclosing canvas, where sound, light, and video would create a total experience in interaction with each other.
Stouenborg has been involved in the project from the initial concept to the completion of the projector system installation for TheatreMax, which was ready in early 2023. The system consists of 25 projectors, which together deliver content in 11K format, which can cover 180 degrees of the theater's wall and ceiling with scenographic animations. In comparison, it is twice the size of what you typically find in a large cinema hall.
The entire system had to be designed off-site, as there were only a few days available for installation. To achieve this, an IFC model in BIM was used to calculate the complete installation, so that they knew in advance exactly how the projectors would be hung. This enabled the installation and integration of the system in just five days.
To prevent the audience from being disturbed by noise from the fans, the projectors have been placed in projector noise boxes. Stouenborg specially develops these to minimize noise and are designed so that the projectors do not overheat.
Stouenborg has also undertaken other exciting projects where facade lighting was a key component of the task. You can read more about the Naturkraft exhibition, where a dome was to be lit up by a single overall image, or explore some of the other Live projects we have undertaken here.