London Cinema Challenge Winners Announced

Third Place: Peep(le) Show. Image Courtesy of London Cinema Challenge / Combo Competitions

Written by James Taylor-Foster
Published on December 28, 2013

The London Cinema Challenge, organized by Combo Competitions, challenged participants to design a new cinema located on Newman Street in central London which should "reflect the participants’ ideas of the cinematic experience in the near future." The scope of the proposal, along with the extravagance of the idea, was decided by the individual competitors with the only criterion being that the design provided a space to watch movies. In addition to the cinema, each proposal had to include a "unique feature helping to serve the main purpose" of the building. Whether "an intimate screening room for indie films, or a commercial multi-storey cinema complex showing blockbusters," the winning proposals demonstrate an array of unique ideas.

First Place: Cine'stival / Etienne Fabre & Jean-Eammanuel David

First Place: Cine'stival. Image Courtesy of London Cinema Challenge / Combo Competitions

"Cine'stival provides an insightful take on the state of cinema today." The design, "anchored in research", invites the public to fully participate in all aspects of the cinematic experience. "As a venue dedicated to promoting independent movies and at the same time inviting the general public to take part in Q&A's and lectures, Cine'stival presents an interesting and credible way of maintaining the cinema as vigorous part of culture in the future." It is "a fully dedicated and accessible film festival venue."

Cine'stival (2). Image Courtesy of London Cinema Challenge / Combo Competitions

Second Place: Symbiotic Venue / Nada Alqallaf & Jaime Sevilla

Second Place: Symbiotic Venue. Image Courtesy of London Cinema Challenge / Combo Competitions

The combination of both a film school and cinema "is strengthened by the architectural composition" which works with the concept of looking back towards the typology of the English theatre. The design "allows audience and students to effortlessly enter a symbiotic relationship, enriching the experience of both parties. Using the interstitial space as another theatrical vehicle allows everyday uses, such as circulation within the building, to become another opportunity for spectator viewing."

Symbiotic Venues (1). Image Courtesy of London Cinema Challenge / Combo Competitions

Third Place: Peep(le) Show / Shuping Liu & Jackie Krasnokutskaya

"Building on curiosity, Peep(le) Show aims to attract people into the world of cinema by playing on peoples native inclination to observe and explore." Offering much more than just a glimpse into the production side of the industry, "the audience is invited "straight into the heart of film production." "The simple black box opens up to a dynamic interior, designed to meet the needs of both professionals and general public, at the same time allowing for subtle overlaps and encounters."