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.

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

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

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

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