brief “ “
rachael mackay
brief 1
PROJECT OUTLINE
The aim of this project is to design a social film space and hidden cinema dedicated to young people with an interest in film. This will be a place for people to come together and socialise, meet new people with shared interests, and discover the world of film. The new proposed design will be an immersive experience for visitors, dealing with the space as a journey over time rather than a static design.
It seems that existing cinemas in Glasgow are not always used to their best advantage. Often, independent cinemas are small, and space does not allow for groups of people to come together and socialise before and after films. There is an opportunity in Glasgow to educate people further about film, by introducing a film museum or exhibition space to the cinema. The cinema experience should be welcoming, inclusive and allow for connection and learning.
The design will consider the idea of temporality when it comes to sharing a space with others. The space will allow for visitors to focus on being in the moment, and will be somewhere that a diverse range of people with different stories can converge just for a moment in time.
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AIMS:
- To create a welcoming space where people can come together and connect over a shared interest in film.
- To design an inclusive space which highlights lesser-known, independent and art-house films.
- To create a space which allows for exploration into film, and takes visitors on a journey.
- To design a film-focused space, taking inspiration from films of the past and inspiring films of the future.
- To create a welcoming atmosphere, which encourages connection, and feelings of excitement and belonging.
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why?
There is an opportunity to create a space in Glasgow which allows young people to connect over film, explore new worlds, and relax in the city centre.
Entertainment spaces in Glasgow are becoming more wideranging, with the development of many new leisure and activity venues. This proposal would form part of the regeneration of the Clyde waterfront, attracting tourists and locals alike.
There are few cinemas in Glasgow which are aimed towards young people, and fewer still that allow space for socialisation, learning, and becoming part of the world of film. Obscura will not only accommodate social connection but encourage it through inclusive, welcoming and immersive spaces .
The secrecy of the speakeasy has become a popular concept for hidden bars and restaurants all over the world. There is an opportunity to merge the mystery of the speakeasy with the excitement and togetherness of the cinema to create a new, engaging experience.
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SITE
The cinema and film space will be located in the Rotundas and Harbour Tunnel which connects them. These B-listed buildings are situated on either side of the Clyde in the Finnieston and Pacific Quay areas of Glasgow.
The North Rotunda: The South Rotunda: 28 Tunnel Street 100 Govan Road
Glasgow Glasgow
G3 8HL G51 1DZ
The almost identical round domed brick structures were built between 1890-95, and sit across the Clyde from one another. Many people are unaware of the South Rotunda and the Tunnel which runs under the Clyde and connects them, and therefore the proposal should work together with the buildings to highlight their unique structures and history.
The North Rotunda is split over 5 levels, including a basement, and currently houses a restaurant and comedy club. The South Rotunda was recently refurbished into offices for a marine engineering firm, also split over 5 levels. The tunnel is owned by Scottish Water and is closed to the public. The Rotundas have a diameter of 24m and are around 21m in height, extending another 22m down to the Tunnel. The Tunnel is around 220 metres long and 5 metres wide, with a 1-metre-wide water mains pipe running through from the South to the North.
The Rotundas and Tunnel have been selected for the proposal as the twin structures with the hidden tunnel are ideal for a hidden, immersive film space. The Rotundas have also been selected due to their unique history. Originally used as entrances to the tunnel, they allowed the transport of goods and people across the river.
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The buildings are situated in a historically industrial area of Glasgow, which is now becoming more populated with entertainment venues.
The area surrounding the North Rotunda is becoming a more popular area for visitors to concerts and events. At the South Rotunda, the area is dominated by office buildings, however the Science Museum and Glasgow Quay offer further entertainment-based activities for locals and tourists alike.
location
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users
This is a space dedicated primarily to young people aged between 18-30, who have an interest in film, or are looking for somewhere new to go with friends.
The space will be welcoming to people of all genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, disabilities, ages and religions. The cinema will provide a safe space for people to meet up in groups and socialise, before and after seeing a film.
The space is primarily aimed towards people who enjoy watching and discussing film - perhaps a group of friends who like to watch films together for fun, or someone who is interested in developing a career in the film industry.
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why will people visit?
People will choose to visit this space not only to see a film, but to immerse themselves in a different environment, and spend time doing something new with friends or family.
Some people may choose to visit regularly:
- People who are part of the Rotunda Film Club will meet every few weeks, to socialise, watch and learn about films, and share ideas. They will need space to meet and socialise, and may hire out the cinema or film booths for showing films.
- People who visit the space for regular themed film nights held in the Rotundas, including Queer Film Night and POC in Film Night. These film nights highlight lesser-known films focusing on aspects relevant to minority communities, and provide a safe space for people to come together in the cafe-bar before and after watching a film in the main screening space.
- People who are interested in working in film may visit the space every month or so to watch and learn about films. They also may hire the film booths to test screen their films.
Others may visit less often:
- People who want to see a specific film, or are looking for somewhere new to go with friends, may visit the space every month or two. They will need space to meet and socialise with friends, and will watch films in the cinema or film booths.
- Families and friends looking for a fun day out may visit the film museum to learn more about filmmaking and try it out themselves.
- People celebrating a birthday or special occasion may visit on occasion with friends and family, meeting up in the cafe-bar before hiring the cinema or film booths for a private screening.
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What might inspire someone to visit a hidden cinema?
Escapism
- They are visiting to take their mind off of stress and anxieties in their own life.
- They are visiting to immerse themself in a completely different world.
Discovery
- The film is newly released and cannot be watched elsewhere.
- The film is rare or not widely known, and cannot be accessed through streaming services.
- They do not use streaming platforms.
- They do not own a TV or DVD player.
Celebration
- They are looking to hire a screening space for a birthday or special occasion.
- They do not have space to host an event at home.
- They want to make use of a bigger screen and better quality equipment for an event.
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Socialisation
- They enjoy discussing films with friends and film allows them to connect with others.
- They are looking for somewhere new to go with friends, rather than going out only for food or drinks.
Connection
- They would like to meet new people with similar backgrounds or interests.
- They are looking for a place to regularly meet people to talk about film.
Exploration
- They are looking to work in film and want to find out more about the industry and film history.
- They want to discover new films and learn more about how they were made.
- They want to form new connections within the film industry.
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space requirements
The space will have three key areas, both the Cinema Space and the Social Space, and the connecting Tunnel, which will provide another part of the experience itself.
The North Rotunda will be a social, engaging space, where people enter and exit the cinema, meet up with friends and family, and find out more about the world of film. This space will be focused on belonging and connection, taking inspiration from the manifestation of home and togetherness in film. This space will include:
- Entrance
- Cafe-bar
- Film Museum
- Film Library
The South Rotunda will be the hidden home to the cinema spaces, where visitors enjoy the experience of a film, both in smaller and larger groups. This space will be discoverable from the North Rotunda, and hidden from the outside world. It focuses on immersion and temporality, taking inspiration from places where people converge just for a moment in time. This space will include:
- Cinema (available to hire)
- Snack Bar
- Film Booths (available to book)
The tunnel connects the two spaces, and will provide a journey which both links the two spaces and is an experience on it’s own. The design will create anticipation and excitement for the film, and provide a changing and dynamic experience which is different on every visit.
All spaces will be accessible by both stairs and lifts, and both Rotundas will have accessible unisex WCs.
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The Entrance
This is a small, welcoming space where visitors enter and exit the building. It provides a threshold between the outside world and the cafe-bar space, and allows visitors to buy and collect tickets for the film museum.
Visitors will:
- Cross the threshhold from outside to inside
- Purchase and collect tickets for the film museum
- Cross the threshhold from the entrance to the cafe-bar
Staff will:
- Welcome guests
- Sell tickets
The Cafe-Bar
This is a large space, full of energy and excitement. The transition between the smaller, darker entrance passageway to the bright, busy cafe-bar makes visitors immediately feel part of a bigger community. The cafe-bar is a vast, open space where visitors can meet up and socialise, with a bar for ordering food and drinks. There is a range of seating spaces across three floors, some open and some more private, with tables for food and drink. This is a key space within the proposal, connecting all areas of the North Rotunda.
Visitors will:
- Meet and socialise with friends and family
- Queue and order drinks at the bar
- Purchase and consume food and drink
- Relax before and after visiting the film museum and hidden cinema
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Staff will:
- Prepare and serve food and drinks
- Serve customers at the bar
- Deliver and store food and drink ingredients
The Film Museum
This is an immersive space where visitors will learn more about the past, present and future of films and filmmaking. Starting on the Ground Floor and spanning the entire basement, there are opportunities for visitors to choose their own path and interact with different exhibits.
Visitors will:
- Learn more about the past, present and future of films and filmmaking
- Navigate through the space on their chosen path
Staff will:
- Check tickets
- Help out with exhibits
The Tunnel
This will connect the two Rotundas, providing an interesting and unique journey for visitors. Using sound and projections, it is a dynamic experience, which builds anticipation for the film. The experience will change depending on the film shown, and will vary before and after the screening. The space will also feature a box office for the cinema and film booths.
Visitors will:
- Immerse themselves in the tunnel experience between the North and South Rotundas
- Purchase and collect tickets for the cinema and film booths
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Staff will:
- Assist visitors with queries
- Sell tickets
The Cinema
This will be a screening space accommodating for 100 people, with 92 fixed seats, 2 wheelchair spaces, and 6 flexible seats which can be modified into wheelchair spaces. It will have comfortable stepped seating and a large screen, with a full sound system. There will be space to store belongings, and small tables for snacks and drinks. The cinema will be hireable for larger events and conferences. This area is key to my proposal and is a destination space.
Visitors will:
- Watch films
- Navigate to and from their seats
Staff will:
- Check tickets for the cinema
- Assist visitors to their seats
- Maintain equipment (projector, speakers, screen)
The Snack Bar
This will be an open space for people to gather before and after a film, and purchase popcorn and other snacks and drinks. It will have a bar space for ordering and collecting snacks and drinks, and smaller, more private seating areas. It will be the connecting space between areas of the South Rotunda.
Visitors will:
- Purchase and collect tickets, snacks and drinks
- Gather with friends or family before and after a film
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Staff will:
- Serve snacks and drinks to customers at the bar
The Film Booths
These will be small, bookable screening spaces for up to four people. Visitors can choose a film from the database or screen their own film from their phone or other device. There will be four booths with fixed sofa seating and two booths with flexible seating and two wheelchair spaces.
Visitors will:
- Watch films
- Store belongings and consume snacks and drinks
Staff will:
- Assist visitors with queries
- Serve snacks and drinks directly to film booths
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scope of project
The site consists of three key spaces - the North and South Rotundas, and the Tunnel which connects them. Both buildings will be split into multiple levels, and the entire tunnel space will be used.
There will be detailed focus on key areas of the buildings - the cafe-bar, tunnel, snack bar and cinema - and general overview of other areas - including staff rooms and WCs.
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The proposal will be communicated using plans, sections and visuals within an explanatory design document, including:
- Plans of all levels of both Rotundas and Tunnel.
- A section showing all three spaces.
- Visuals of key areas, including Cafe-bar, Tunnel, Cinema and Snack Bar.
- Key details, including materiality and construction drawings.
key words
connection home belonging temporality excitement story anticipation experience immersion expected outputs
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SITE CONSIDERATIONS
- How the three spaces (both Rotundas and tunnel) can be used most effectively to zone different areas of the space.
- How constraints and opportunities involved with the round shape of the buildings can be navigated and used to advantage.
- How the length and width of the tunnel will have an influence on the design and the experience of being in the space - both the emotional experience and the physical accessibility of the space.
- How visitors can access the tunnel - by both stairs and liftand how this can become part of the journey.
- How the history of the site and unique building features can be acknowledged and celebrated within the design.
- How the proposal will encourage people to travel from the centre of Glasgow to this area.
CONCEPT CONSIDERATIONS
- How the design can feel welcoming and inclusive to all.
- How the journey between spaces can evoke excitement and drama, and how the spaces link to one another naturally.
- How the space will change throughout time - both shortterm (throughout the day), and long-term (from monthto-month) - and how this will influence people to visit the space regularly.
- How the social spaces will encourage conversation and connection, and allow for groups of people to come together.
- How the design will consider all of the senses to create an immersive and atmospheric experience.
- How sustainable materials can contribute to a more environmentally friendly design.
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CONSIDERATIONS
TYPOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS
- How secrecy will be incorporated into the concept through signage, advertising, the process of booking and collecting tickets, and elements of the user experience in the space.
- How the balance will be kept between the film-focused cinema space and the socialfocused cafe-bar space.
- How the proposal will encourage movement between the spaces, so that visitors are encouraged to use both the social and cinema spaces during their visit.
- How the balance will be kept between affordability and comfort.
USER CONSIDERATIONS
- How the space will appeal to first-time visitors - how people find out about the cinema and what draws them to enter the space.
- How the space will be accessible to and inclusive of all, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability and age.
- How the space will encourage people to visit again in the future.
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