DR Koncerthuset

A modern landmark in Copenhagen’s new cityscape

DR Koncerthuset anchors the DR media campus in Ørestad, where the city’s historic centre gives way to glass towers, canals and open skies. From a distance you first notice the building’s sculptural blue shell, an almost monolithic volume that seems to hover above the surrounding plaza. As you approach, the facade shifts with the light, revealing a patchwork of glass and cladding that hints at the complex world inside. The concert house was conceived as both a cultural beacon and a piece of urban theatre. It sits directly by the elevated metro line, so trains glide past at eye level, underscoring the dialogue between everyday life and high culture. By night, the building glows like a lantern, signaling that something is happening within – a symphony, a radio recording, a jazz session or a televised gala.

Jean Nouvel’s dramatic interiors and shifting moods

Crossing the threshold, you step into a vast, vertical foyer that feels more like a contemporary art installation than a traditional lobby. Matte grey concrete walls contrast with shiny steel floor tiles and warm wooden accents, while the glass roof pulls daylight – and after dark, starlight – deep into the space. Long views up, down and across multiple levels create a sense of anticipation as people circulate before performances. Nouvel’s design plays deliberately with contrasts: heavy and light, rough and polished, shadow and saturated colour. Corridors suddenly open onto double-height voids; light is filtered through coloured panels; and intimate corners appear between bold structural elements. The architecture encourages wandering, pausing at railings to look into the foyer or out towards the city, making the building itself part of the experience.

The concert hall famed for its enveloping sound

At the heart of the complex lies the main Koncertsalen, a vineyard-style arena with seating terraced around the stage. Clad in warm timber and deep hues, it creates a cocoon-like atmosphere focused entirely on the performers. Every surface – from acoustic panels to suspended reflectors – has been shaped in collaboration with acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota to deliver clarity, warmth and intimacy. The hall’s flexible acoustics allow it to host a wide range of music, from large symphony orchestra works and choir concerts to film scores, big band nights and crossover projects. The stage and seating can be reconfigured, and adjustable acoustic elements fine-tune the sound for different ensembles. Despite its 1,800-seat capacity, the visual proximity of the balconies fosters a feeling of shared event rather than distant spectacle.

Four distinct venues under one blue skin

Beyond the flagship hall, DR Koncerthuset contains three additional studios, each with its own character and scale. One is defined by a cool, monochrome palette and clear, direct acoustics suited to chamber music and broadcasts; another glows in rich red tones, designed for more intimate performances and experimental projects. This diversity allows the house to host everything from radio productions and spoken word to jazz, pop and contemporary classical. The complex operates as a working home for DR’s ensembles – including the symphony orchestra, choirs and big band – as well as a stage for visiting artists and large-scale events of national significance. Over the years it has provided the setting for televised ceremonies, international conferences and live broadcasts, cementing its role as a cultural stage that reaches far beyond the audience in the room.

A visitor experience that begins before the music

Attending an event here is as much about the journey through the building as the performance itself. Before concerts, the foyer fills with a gentle hum of conversation, the clink of glasses and the soft thrum of the metro outside. Tall windows frame views of Amager’s canals and modern architecture, while internal balconies offer vantage points over the flowing crowd. Wayfinding is intuitive, with generous stairs, lifts and clearly marked levels guiding you towards the different halls. The building is designed with accessibility in mind, offering step-free routes and dedicated seating areas inside the venues. Between events, the house can be explored on guided tours, where you can move from backstage corridors to the heart of the concert hall and gain insight into how architecture, broadcasting and live music intertwine.

An architectural icon with a civic role

DR Koncerthuset functions as both a neighborhood anchor for Ørestad and a national stage for Denmark’s public broadcaster. Its bold silhouette has become a visual shorthand for contemporary Copenhagen, contrasting with the city’s historic spires yet connected to them through a shared emphasis on craftsmanship and cultural life. Spending time here reveals how thoughtfully the building has been tailored to the rituals of performance: gathering, waiting, listening and lingering afterwards. Whether you come for a symphony, a radio production, a choral Christmas concert or simply to explore the architecture, the concert house offers a layered experience where space, light and sound work together to leave a lasting impression.