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urban cinema

Part 1 Project 2007
Tomas Pohnetal
 University of East London London | UK
In the first project I develop a façade that connected MySpace with the street in front. The façade was developed as a skin uniting and differentiating spaces inside. Located on site it generated a space in between, which became the key driver of the main project. The scheme of the main project was developed to tackle some of the most urging issues of Clerkenwell. The building with its internal spaces, the inhabitant and the courtyard were carefully crafted together to create spaces that would be a strong contribution to the city beneficial to the inhabitant and surrounding communities.

Tomas Pohnetal

The programme asked students to explore new housing prototypes and public space in the dense urban fabric in Clerkenwell.
Tomas’ project for an urban cinema/live-work housing in Clerkenwell, is a poetic, sophisticated, sustainable and elegant proposal. The site context was constrained by existing fabric and there was no pre-existing public space. By means of weaving and superimposing strategies the design tests out the limits of the site in its commitment to urban housing, history, scale, mixed use, material and detail. The reinvention of the courtyard as a cinematic space is a poetic and up-to-date approach appropriate and relevant to this part of London and its inhabitants.
The project shows rigour and thoroughness on all levels in its design and sets an agenda for contemporary public space and housing in the city.


2007
MySpace is defined as a dramatic and inspiring large open space where various activities are performed on one floor. This space is wrapped into a protective skin that creates distinct zones and unites them into one coherent lot.
The layered skin creates a space in between; both inside and outside, both public and private.
The perception of surface depends of the direction of light, sometimes it appears to be completely flat and sometimes it seems deeper and more sculptural.
The main project site is located in Clerkenwell, a densely built up area with very few spaces to socialize or hang out in.
The proposal is shaped to enable the sunlight to enter the public courtyard.
South facing volume is smaller and narrower to create a way in gap between the new and existing.
The building contains live/work units occupied by artisans and their families with their work beneficial both to the area and the courtyard.
To avoid any tedium caused by living and working in the same environment the two main spaces have completely different qualities.
During a day the life in the courtyard is influenced by people visiting the gallery and print shop as well as people coming into the building.
Different configurations of the 3 layered facade dramatically transform qualities of the internal space
The building movable façade serves as a projection screen.
Narrative type of show is projected on the work volume for the courtyard’s ideal long shape. The bar is open into the courtyard. The residents watch from their flats.
With the projection on the courtyard is turned into a local cinema; the bar is open, the residents are watching and the public is having fun.
The life in the courtyard is a part of the street life as the projection attracts people in and transforms the surrounding streets.
The courtyard is apart of the street when the screens are slid away.
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