Glasgow Film Theatre:

McGinlay Bell Architects

Cinema 

The Glasgow Film Theatre, formerly known as the Cosmo Cinema, was Scotland’s first art-house cinema.  Since opening in 1939 it has become a well-loved and treasured landmark within the city, exemplifying the heyday of cinema design. Its Art Deco period interior has subsequently acquired heritage value for its creative timber applications.

In 2011, the GFT embarked on a phased journey to deliver a masterplan vision for a significant refurbishment to the category B-listed building. Following the completion of the first phase in 2013, which included a new entrance box office facility and new sixty seat digital auditorium space, the recent completion stage by McGinlay Bell focused on the full refurbishment and alteration to both the public and private areas throughout the cinema building, encompassing approximately 350sqm in area.

The principal aspiration for the project was to sensitively and seamlessly insert the new programme of interior elements and surfaces while respecting and reflecting the cinema’s former glory.

Approach

McGinlay Bell’s approach looked to traditional carpentry and wood making in order to formally establish ornament and decoration by carefully composed application of natural materials.  Taking cues from the cinema’s history a researched palette of timber materials resulted in the specification of sustainably sourced Iroko, profiled hardwood timber mouldings, and intricate curved profile forms. Layers of circulation space have been defined and separated by use of timber whether connected or organised by interlocking spaces or open rooms.

Interior

Key to the success of the new interiors was the expertise by specialist contractor Thomas Johnstone, who was able to bring workshop precision and controlled craftsmanship to the project.  Innovative methods of jointing and off-site fabrication also allowed for greater control and quality.

Delivery of the client’s ambition for quality and a sense of timelessness but equally good levels of robustness necessary for a well-used public space required the completion stage of the GFT masterplan to be managed, challengingly, during the building’s ‘day to day’ operations.

“But with all its challenges the project allowed for great opportunity to exploit design ideas in material selection, bespoke joinery, and the making of new architectural interiors respecting what has gone before while delivering something new but familiar,”(McGinlay Bell)

Images: Dapple Photography