London Cinema Challenge (2013)
Brief summary
Since the arrival of the possibility to illegally download movies, DVD sales have steadily declined. Not even the introduction of a new format with higher quality, BlueRay, has been able to reverse the trend in favor of the film companies. However, movie theatres have managed to somewhat withstand the surge by offering an enhanced viewing experience compared to a small computer screen. Nonetheless, with the imminent breakthrough of VoD (Video on Demand) as a legal and hassle-free way of watching film at home, even the future of cinemas might be threatened. This competition aims to challenge the participants to react to that scenario, and present solutions aiming to secure the role of cinemas in the coming years. Is there a way of rethinking and future proofing the cinematic experience?
The goal of the competition is to design a cinema, located on Newman Street in central London. Scope and approach is left to the discretion of the competitors – as long as it is well motivated and justified, the way of showing/experiencing films can be just as basic or sophisticated as desired. The same goes for the physical structure: it can be as large as the site allows, or as small as one can imagine.
In addition to the cinema, each proposal must show a unique feature, helping to serve the main purpose of the cinema. It can be anything from a cafe to a nursery home - just as long as you can motivate the need for it.
As an ideas-based competition, it is up to the discretion of the competitors to decide the scope of the venture: an intimate screening room for indie films or a commercial multi-storey cinema complex showing blockbusters - or anything in between. The only criterion is that the design provides a space to watch movies. Participants are also encouraged to address construction, materiality and sustainability as driving factors.
The site is located on Newman Street in central London, a quiet and nondescript side street to Oxford Street - one of the busiest commercial areas in the capital. The site will use a portion of a Royal Mail’s parking lot on Newman Street.
Awarded proposals
1st prize - Cine’stival by Etienne Fabre and Jean-Emmanuel David
JURY’S COMMENTS: Cine’stival provides an insightful take on the state of cinema today. Anchored in research, the proposal offers a beautifully visualized response to the issue at hand. By inviting the public to fully participate in all aspects of the cinematic experience, the mix of program reinforces the proposal’s premise, with the architectural space corresponding appropriately. As a venue dedicated to promoting independent movies and at the same time inviting the general public to take part in Q&A’s and lectures, Cine’stival presents an interesting and credible way of maintaining the cinema as vigorous part of culture in the future. The coherent presentation ties it all together into a fully dedicated and accessible film festival venue - a truly rare thing these days.
2nd prize - Symbiotic Venue by Nada Alqallaf and Jaime Sevilla
JURY’S COMMENTS: Incorporating a film school into the cinema allows the proposal to grow beyond being ‘a cinema and a school that happens to share the same building’. This is strengthened by the architectural composition, which works very well with the idea: the concept of looking back towards the English theatre creates a design that allows audience and students to effortlessly enter a symbiotic relationship, enriching the experience of both parties. Using the interstitial space as another theatrical vehicle allows everyday uses, such as circulation within the building, to become another opportunity for spectator viewing.
3rd prize - Peep(Le) Show by Shuping Liu and Jackie Krasnokutskaya
JURY’S COMMENTS: Building on curiosity, Peep(le) Show aims to attract people into the world of cinema by playing on peoples native inclination to observe and explore. By offering much more than just a glimpse into the production side of the industry, Peep(le) Show invites an audience straight into the heart of film production . The simple black box opens up to a dynamic interior, designed to meet the needs of both professionals and general public, at the same time allowing for subtle overlaps and encounters. The appropriate presentation style adds a final touch to the proposal.
Honorable mention - Adult Theatre // Cryobank by Anna Rizou and George
JURY’S COMMENTS: By pairing an adult cinema with a fertility clinic, Adult Theatre // Cryobank highlights the natural connection between something that many find taboo (pornography), and the miracle of life (conception). Letting the former serve the latter helps to restore a level of legitimacy to a form of cinema that has been disapproved of during most of its existence.
Honorable mention - Cinema Obscura by Matt Sawyer
JURY’S COMMENTS: By substituting the cinema of today with a venue for contemplation and reflection, Cinema Obscura asks the important question of whether there actually is a need for further input in a hectic city like London. The calm and quiet presentation enhances the poetic approach even further.
Honorable mention - Constructing Frames to the Everyday by Ashleigh Watkins and Lizzie Venning
JURY’S COMMENTS: Constructing Frames to the Everyday moves beyond cinema and deals with the ‘theatre of our lives’ on an interactive and public manner. The equation ‘work + entertainment = life’ provides a unique vantage point on our own relationship with the city, and is described in a delicate way.
Honorable mention - Event Frame by Lukasz Krasuski, Marcelina Szulik, Izabela Luszczkiewicz and Marta Wiewior
JURY’S COMMENTS: The simplicity of this scheme is refreshing and it servers the brief well, creating a venue that would be used by anyone and everyone. It does not overcomplicate the idea, and provides a direct line from premise to architectural realization, while still accommodating various shifts in program and user interaction.
