Pillar 1:
Ecological transition in the field of culture

Priority 1:
Reducing the use of resources and using sustainable public procurement

“For me, transformation – in the context of our responsibility for our world – is a way of thinking and taking a stand. We live in a world full of things and objects. It is time to rethink what already exists and to see it as potential for future design.” 

– Eva Veronica Born, Set Designer  

Circular economy plays an important role in achieving Munich’s goals for a more sustainable future. For theatres, this means rethinking and experimenting with new and innovative approaches to shift toward circular practices. In response, Munich’s city theatre, Münchner Kammerspiele, launched “Werkraum 5.0”, a pilot initiative that explores how theatre spaces and production methods can be made more sustainable*.  

The project involves transforming one of the theatre’s venues, the Werkraum, into a modular, reusable space made from recycled materials. Introducing a flexible set design created by set designer Eva Veronica Born, the space demonstrates how materials can be reused across multiple productions, reducing waste and fostering a circular economy.  

The space reopened at the end of 2025 with a completely new look that is both functional and sustainable, accommodating up to 134 spectators. Within 6 months, Werkraum 5.0 has successfully hosted 2 productions, proving the feasibility of using recycled and modular materials in theatre. The project has sparked important in-house discussions around artistic, logistical, and legal aspects, such as creative processes with limited resources, adaption of construction methods and material choices, liability, and disposal regulations prompting a re-evaluation of traditional practices. At the same time, it is fostering a culture of sustainability among the theatre professionals, encouraging innovative design and resource-conscious thinking.  

The project is set to continue until 2026, with the theatre already establishing a sustainable guideline for the venue Werkraum and its further usage. Funding for Wekraum 5.0  is conditional on the theatre producing an overall climate balance and a project-specific balance to assess impact and inform future evaluations.  

*Funded by the German Federal Cultural Foundation through the “Fonds Zero – Climate-neutral artistic and cultural projects” programme.