Harbour Lights, Southampton

HARBOUR LIGHTS SOUTHAMPTON

CLIENT: SOUTHAMPTON CITY COUNCIL

Harbour Lights is a landmark building located in the former P&O docks, Southampton, with two auditoria for film and video exhibition as well as conferences. The antithesis of the black-box space, the cinema's design provides a refreshing contrast to its multiplex rivals. 

The foyers, café bar and offices have an open aspect which fully exploit the centre’s dockside location. 

Harbour Lights is attributed as having had a leading influence on the design of a new generation of cinemas.

I saw it when it was an artist’s impression; I saw pictures of the building site and I saw it completed and I think it’s every bit as beautiful as the original artist’s impression - that really doesn’t usually happen
— Sir David Putnam, Arts Council Lottery Board
This is cinema as a serious art form and all the architecture is to match... Harbour Lights film theatre in Southampton is a cause for celebration... a real new cinema at last - brave in its design and exhibiting immense flair and dedication.
— The Sunday Times

AWARDS

Civic Trust Commendation

Sunday Times/RFAC Building of the Year Award 1995: Shortlisted Entry

shortlisted - riba award for architecture 1995