The restoration and remodelling of the Campbeltown Picture House has been shortlisted for the 2022 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 cinema has been shortlisted in the built heritage category, which recognises renovations in a completely traditional style as well as contemporary interventions, and the community-led regeneration category, which aims to recognise the importance of communities in Planning.
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 and Regulatory Services, said:
“People continue to be attracted to live, work, and visit Argyll and Bute by our stunning landscape and quality design. Reducing carbon emissions and addressing climate change are key elements to sustainable development locally. The shortlist therefore not only celebrates design, but also recognises innovative ways buildings can help support our environment. I have been deeply impressed by the standard of entries this year, and hope these will inspire future design projects across the area.”
The Picture House has also been included in the projects selected for the People’s Choice Award, where members of the public are invited to vote for their favourite project. Further details of how to vote can be found here: