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Watch-It Cinemill: Arthouse and Academy

Part 2 Project 2024
Georgina Reid
University of Reading | UK
Reminiscent of Watchet’s industrial past, The Cinemill’s transformation from paper mill to cultural center has made it a fundamental node in the fragmented life of the town. The site evolved characterised by paper-making functions and therefore industrial heritage is celebrated with striking new theatric accents of exposed, locally sourced and reclaimed materials including bricks, ash glulam and pine CLT - synthesising its previous life with the new.

The proposal uses the resurgence of cinema, filmmaking, folklore, anthropological design theory and rethinking local vernacular, together with a speculative typology for cinema-going in a post-Covid world to engage with community concern for the future of the town by offering an integrated programme that creates economic, social and environmental benefits to Watchet and a new site strategy.

Partly retrofit and part newly built, the project utilises and connects to some of the existing fabric to make it suitable for use. The Cinemill is home to a thriving creative community of students, visitors, film crew, staff and residents, fostering interest and engagement for leisure and learning. The Arthouse provides performance spaces, eateries, and plazas extending the public realm. The Academy offers an education in screenwriting and set design, with a new rentable film set.

Georgina Reid

Tutor(s)


2024
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