research
rachael mackay
Location: North - 28 Tunnel Street
South - 100 Govan Road
Building Info: B-Listed buildings, built between 1890-5. The two Rotundas are connected under the river Clyde by a tunnel, which was opened in 1895. The buildings acted as entrances to three tunnels (two of which have now been filled in) on either side of the river, and when opened were mainly used for transporting goods via horse and cart.
The Rotundas were designed in 1888 by Simpson and Wilson and Alex Findlay and Co, and built between 1890-5. They were originally built as entrances to two vehicle tunnels and one pedestrian tunnel built under the Clyde to transport goods via horse and cart. Each Rotunda housed six hydraulic vehicle lifts and stairs for pedestrians. Subsequently, the pedestrian tunnel became disused, as the vehicle tunnels remained in better condition. However, the Glasgow Harbour Tunnel Company became bankrupt and the tunnels were closed from around 1900 until 1913, when they were bought over, and later sold into the city’s control for £100,000 (equivalent to over £6million today).
The vehicle lifts were removed during the war effort, and in 1943 the vehicle tunnels were closed. In 1986, Bell’s Bridge was built nearby, offering easier access across the river. The passenger tunnel remained open until 1987, after which a water mains was installed and the two vehicle tunnels were filled in.
In 1988, for the Glasgow Garden Festival, the North Rotunda was given a facelift, and the South turned into a Nardini’s ice cream parlour.
In the 1990s, the South Rotunda became a dome of discovery as part of the Glasgow City of Culture celebrations, and the North was converted to a restaurant and casino.
In 2014, the South Rotunda was transformed into a venue for The Tin Forest, a puppet show and experience by the Scottish Youth Theatre. It was planned that the Rotunda would become a permanent theatre space but this did not go ahead.
In 2017, it was announced that the building would become offices for Malin Group, a marine engineering firm. The North Rotunda has changed hands several times but is now a restaurant, events venue and comedy club.
Finnieston (the area surrounding the North Rotunda) was established as an industrial and residential village in 1768. The tobacco and sugar industry was rapidly expanding in Glasgow during the 18th century, and from around 1775 small vessels were able to sail up the Clyde into the centre of Glasgow. The Clyde was deepened to allow for larger ships and from 1818 foreign trading vessels were able to dock at Broomielaw (just east of where the Rotundas are now).
Pacific Quay (the area surrounding the South Rotunda) was opened in 1897 as Cessnock Dock. Later renamed Prince’s Dock, it was used to handle general cargo until the 1970s.
The expansion of trade and shipbuilding along the Clyde was key to Glasgow’s development and for this reason Clydebank became a target for bombing during the Second World War. By the 1960s, due to de-industrialisation, the area fell into decline and has since been through regeneration into recreational, residential and business space. In 1988, the area was transformed for Glasgow Garden Festival. Nowadays, the area is mostly business space, with recreational space North of the Clyde and residential to the South.
1.4 selecting the site
I was initially drawn to the Rotundas because of their unique domed structures, and I love the combination of brickwork and steel arched windows. I like the idea of the two linked buildings, and think that the mystery of the hidden tunnel fits well with my idea for a secret cinema. I found that when I mention the Rotundas, many people are not aware of the tunnel or even that there are two Rotundas at all. The buildings are unique and visually interesting, and I am fascinated by the history of the buildings throughout time.
The North Rotunda is surrounded on one side by entertainment venues and on the other side by offices. This means that the area is diverse and often busy. Although there is a considerable amount of traffic outside, it cannot be heard from inside the Rotunda. It is challenging to linger here as people are constantly passing by and the pavement is narrow.
The South Rotunda is a lot quieter than the North. It sits surrounded by offices and residential buildings, therefore is quieter and more peaceful. There is a small cobblestone square between the Rotunda and the river. Lots of people pass by the building walking dogs or going to and from work. Although traffic is nearby; birdsong, passersby and the breeze rustling the trees can still be heard. It smells fresh and is sheltered from the wind by trees and other buildings.
The interior of the North Rotunda is split into at least four floors including a basement. I found on visiting that the architecture of the building is almost unrecognisable from the inside. The iconic arched windows are often blocked by walls or curtains, and the round footprint of the building is compromised by rectangular spaces inside.
The North Rotunda is home to a restaurant and beer garden, private function space, comedy club and bar. Most floors have been split and are no longer full, cylindrical rooms, however the top floor provides views towards the South from the roof windows.
The South Rotunda was transformed into offices in 2017 for Malin Group Marine Engineering. It has been split into four floors with mezzanine, and makes use of the arched windows around the building and the roof area. Although there are some more angular walls, the round shell of the building is still prominent and the space has been zoned effectively.
Entertainment
Food & Drink
Retail Hotel
Residential
Office/Education
Other
BUILDING TYPOLOGIES
The site is surrounded mainly by offices and housing, however several large entertainment venues are located nearby, including the OVO Hydro and SEC Armadillo. The area is often busy, with office workers and concert-goers alike, from early in the morning until late at night.
The site is fairly easy to access from the city centre. It is a 27-minute walk from the city centre, but can also be accessed by bus, train, car and taxi.
There are several bus stops close to both Rotundas, which take approximately 8 minutes from Union Street in the city centre. The closest train station is Exhibition Centre, which is a 3-minute train journey from Central Station, and a 7-minute walk from the North Rotunda.
There are many nearby car parks (including one specifically for the North Rotunda), which are a 9-minute drive from the city centre.
TRANSPORT LINKS
Bus stops
Train Station Roads
Car Parks
KEY BUILDINGS IN THE AREA
Finnieston Crane - This was built in 1931 to help load and unload goods from cargo ships. It was last used in 1988, however has become a significant part of Glasgow’s skyline.
OVO Hydro - The largest entertainment venue in Scotland with 14,300 seats, used for live entertainment. It was opened in 2013 and hosts big names including The Cure, Paolo Nutini and Florence & the Machine.
SEC Armadillo - Inspired by interlocking ship’s hulls and nicknamed ‘The Armadillo’ due to it’s resemblance of the animal. The live entertainment venue was opened in 1997 and has 3,000 seats. It hosts big names including Bob Dylan, Bono and Joe Lycett.
SEC Centre - Opened in 1985, this building is a venue for conferences and exhibitions alongside some live entertainment. It hosts events including craft fairs, the yearly IRN-BRU carnival and career fairs.
STV Studios - Main headquarters for STV, who have over 3.5 million viewers every month. Filming and office space which opened in 2006.
BBC Studios - Scottish headquarters for the BBC, with filming and office space. Opened in 2007, it is used for the filming of shows including Mrs Brown’s Boys, Richard Osman’s House of Games and Impossible.
Radisson RED - A 4-star, 174-room hotel located next to the North Rotunda.
The area around the North Rotunda is much busier than that of the South, due to events at the OVO Hydro, SEC Centre and SEC Armadillo. Both sides of the Clyde are industrial-heavy areas, so tend to be busy during rush hour. Due to entertainment events often being on weekends, the North tends to be busy at most times.
1.7 the area now
How do the Rotundas and Tunnel make people feel? Are there any words which come to mind?
“intriguing”
“unique”
“isolated”
“mysterious”
“unusual”
“cinematic”
“dramatic” “shelter”
“overwhelmed”
“confused”
What do people think of the Rotundas and Tunnel?
“The tunnel concept is one of the most interesting aspects”
“They make me think of Roman architecture”
“The connection of the two feels important, not sure one would feel complete without the other”
“They hold their own”
“They could be major city of Glasgow icons”
“traffic seems to move around it”
“They are not being used to their full potential”
“I didn’t know there was a tunnel”
“They mark the edge of the city centre going west”
“very out of place”
“The tunnel makes me feel a bit claustrophobic”
What do people think of the area surrounding the Rotundas?
“feels quite commercial”
“quite empty without big events at the Hydro”
“I wouldn’t visit unless I had a reason to”
“industrial”
“The North side is clearly more geared towards attracting customers”
“The South side is a bit run down and threatening”
“disjointed”
“strange area of Glasgow that doesn’t have an identity”
“The area itself seems safe enough on the North side”
“It looks like the buildings have been built around the Rotundas”
The exterior of the Rotundas are load-bearing, held up by cast iron Corinthian columns carrying steel girders.
Both Rotundas have a glazed section where vehicles would originally have entered the buildings. The external walls are constructed from brick, with steel frame, cast-iron columns and stone cornices and cills.
The Rotundas are around 21m in height, with a building footprint of approximately 400m² each.
The dome windows of the South Rotunda have been replaced during it’s refurbishment in 2017, and are new ribbon double glazing, suitable for glazing long banks of fixed windows. The roof is steel framed, with timber and slate layers. Both Rotundas feature a glazed cupola with a weathervane at the top.
A SECRET CINEMA AND SOCIAL SPACE IN THE HEART OF GLASGOW.
WHO?
My proposal is aimed towards young people, especially students, in Glasgow and surrounding areas. People who have an interest in film and are looking for an engaging and exciting experience.
WHAT?
A hidden cinema and film space offering a unique journey through the world of film. Central to this are the cafe-bar, film museum, snack bar, and tunnel experience space.
WHEN?
Now! The space will be open every day, from early afternoon to late at night (and into the early hours of the morning).
WHERE?
Set in the Rotundas and Harbour Tunnel, visitors will enter through the North Rotunda into a large social space with cafebar, before travelling through the tunnel to the South Rotunda, which will accommodate the screening room and snack bar.
WHY?
This is a type of space that I’d love to see in Glasgow. A space for young people to connect with others through film. There are few spaces for young people in Glasgow (with the exception of bars and clubs), and few cinemas highlighting lesser-known and art-house films.
400BC
The Camera Obscura
This is the first recorded camera in existance, descriptions of which have been found in Chinese texts from 400BC. The camera does not take pictures, but instead uses a pinhole to focus light and project an image onto a screen. The Camera Obscura was a precursor to cameras for photography and film, as well as movie projectors.
1891
The Kinetoscope
The Kinetoscope was first used in 1891, allowing one viewer at a time to observe moving pictures. By 1894, these were shown in public parlours around the world.
1895
The Cinématographe
Invented by the Lumière brothers in 1895, this combined a camera, projector and film printer in one, and allowed films to be projected for an audience.
1890s-1910s Early Films
Earliest films were often shown in music halls and fairgrounds, lasting only for a few minutes or less.
1910s-Present
The Film Industry
By 1914, several national film industries were established. The next 30 years were important to the growth of cinema, introducing longer films and bringing storytelling and narrative to the forefront.
1900s Colour
Colour was first added to film in the 1900s by handtinting, toning and stencilling. Technicolour was used from 1915 onwards, later replaced by the three-colour process in 1932. From the 1930s colour films were widely produced, however were expensive and time-consuming to produce so many films were still made in black-and-white.
1920s Sound
The first feature-length film to use synchronised sound was The Jazz Singer in 1927. Before this, films were silent, often shown accompanied by live music or lectures.
1930s-1940s The Golden Age of Film
In the 1930s and 40s, cinema was at it’s peak as popular entertainment. ‘Super’ cinemas and ‘Picture Palaces’ were built, which held other facilities like ballrooms and cafes. The highest recorded film attendance in Britain was in 1946, with 31 million visits per week.
1950s-Present Advancing Technologies
The Regal cinema (later O2 ABC) in Glasgow
By 1984, attendance had fallen to 1 million visits per week, due to television allowing viewers to watch films and television shows in their own homes. However, the late 2000s brought a boom in multiplex cinemas, and cinema attendance has risen since. Rapidly advancing technology continues to change both the production and consumption of films, allowing audiences to stream films on phones and laptops as well as watching live in cinemas and on-demand on television.
The production of 3D films, though attempted and abandoned in both the 1950s and 80s, is also being experimented, with audience experience and immersion playing a key role in not only how films are shown but also how they are created.
