The Odeon Center is located on the border of the historic city and modern buildings, in a new pedestrian area. To harmonize it with the surroundings, architects C. F. Møller split the large volume planned by the customers into a series of smaller ones, connected and surrounded by streets and plazas. The theme of public spaces continues in the interior: the lobby serves as a kind of "cultural" market square, where you can find things to do all day long.
The building with a total area of 32,000 m2 includes four auditoriums - a large one (1800 seats or more than 3000 standing places), a small one (300 spectators), chamber music and a rhythmic one (for drama performances, dance, stand-up, etc.). It also houses the premises of the Danish National Academy of Music and the Odense Theater School, youth housing and a supermarket. This variety of functions reflects the city's desire to make the new center a truly democratic institution, avoiding the “elitism” that is always inherent in academic music or opera.
Since the budget of DKK 650 million (€ 87 million) was not “endless”, high-quality but modest materials were chosen for the center. The plinth is faced with brick, the facades of two large volumes - the large hall and the grate - are covered with white concrete panels, on the rest white is combined with contrasting stripes or profiles that create a play of light and shade are used. Black steel staircases are now covered with ash treads. The interior of the large hall with its golden color is reminiscent of baroque theaters and the Vienna Musikverein. It is able to host not only concerts of popular and classical music, but also conferences, fashion shows, ballet and opera performances.
