Operaen, Copenhagen

Operaen is Denmark’s national opera house, a striking building on Holmen that ranks among the world’s most modern opera venues. Its architect is Henning Larsen, and its design is identified with neo-futurism. The pale limestone facing and broad metal lattice give the exterior a weighty, precise texture, while the glass stretches across the entrance façade.

The house opened in 2005, after construction lasting from 2001 to 2004. Its creation involved a private foundation giving the building to the Danish state in August 2000, at a cost of 2.5 billion DKK. That scale is easier to grasp when you hear what is packed inside: the building contains 41,000 m2 across 14 floors, with more than 1000 rooms.

The main performance space connects directly with five additional stages, allowing scenery and large productions to move through the building. The auditorium can hold between 1492 and 1703 people, and every seat is angled individually for the best possible experience. In the foyer, Sicilian Perlatino marble forms the floor, and Olafur Eliasson created three spherical chandeliers. The building also preserves a link to the harbour’s naval past through Takkelloftet, a smaller experimental theatre named after a former rope store nearby.