The restoration and remodelling of the Campbeltown Picture House has won the Members Vote Award at the 2023 Argyll and Bute Sustainable Design Awards. The awards recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design and sustainability across the whole of the Argyll and Bute Council planning area. The Members vote award is one of two special awards, in addition to the main categories, and is voted for by Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee Members at the Council.
The Picture House is an important and rare example of an early purpose-built cinema and it is included in the Statutory List as a Category A building in recognition of its high architectural and historical significance. The Centenary Project was launched to conserve and upgrade it to meet the expectations of a modern cinema operator and cinema-going audience, and provide it with a sustainable future.
The completed development has provided a sensitively restored historic main auditorium, (193 seats) meeting modern expectations of comfort. The unique character of the ‘atmospheric’ cinema, with the ‘wee houses’ around the proscenium, was carefully maintained, understanding the importance of maintaining the look and feel of the space to the local community. A new accessible entrance and foyer in the gap between the historic cinema building and Annexe houses the single sales point for tickets and the café.
The addition of a second screen (52 seats), in a new build extension in the rear courtyard, has been important in allowing a greater diversity of films. The new café bar, with views across the harbour, and flexible education/ community room provides additional spaces for the local community to meet, both formally and informally.
Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Planning said:
“Congratulations to all our winners. The standard of entries this year was outstanding with fantastic innovative examples across Argyll and Bute of how design is helping to support our environment. We have a great mix of sensitive renovation of historic buildings to green business ventures and energy efficient new homes and community facilities. As we work towards achieving net zero by 2045, I hope people will take inspiration from our winning entrants and create design solutions that not only complement the amazing Argyll and Bute landscape, but also meet the highest energy efficiency standards.”
Faye Davies, Specialist Conservation Architect and Managing Director of the architects for the project, Burrell Foley Fischer, said:
“We are thrilled that the restoration of the Picture House has been recognised by Argyll and Bute Council Members. As architects we understand the value placed on a town’s historic buildings by its citizens and the importance of restoring them to modern uses without losing the look and feel of the spaces which are fondly remembered and loved.
We take immense pleasure in designing cinemas that meet modern cinemagoers expectations of facilities and comfort but are also flexible enough to contribute to economic regeneration and play a much wider role as a hub for the community. We loved working in Campbeltown and are so pleased that the cinema is continuing to delight audiences 110 years after it first opened.”