This exciting town-centre project has brought life back to a redundant mid-20th Century cinema building located above a busy retail arcade. By careful analysis of space, structure and access, the existing single screen cinema has been redesigned and converted to provide three new, high-quality cinema studios.
Acting as Architects and Principal Designers we worked closely with the Client, Principal Contractor and Local Authority Building Control to ensure this challenging project was successfully delivered.
Significant remediation of hazardous material had to be undertaken and fully processed before the main works could start on site. The new screens have been constructed within the existing concrete framed structure at first floor level, above the shopping centre immediately below. Careful technical detailing has resolved the complex acoustic requirements between cinema screens, adjacent rooms and adjoining properties. The thorough analysis of sight lines has ensured optimum viewing of the new screens which includes accessible spaces for wheelchair users. The new layout has been carefully integrated within the town centre complex to satisfy the statutory regulations required for public buildings of this size and type.
Facilities include 3 No cinema studios, reception / lobby, public toilets, bar / servery, office and projection control room. The cinema has been finished to a very high quality and has been extremely well received by the people of Frome.
