[ Case Study: RETAIL ]
Cine Lumiere
Refurbishment of the Grade II listed Foyer, Reception and Reinstatement of the building’s original features.
Client: Institut Francais
Location: South Kensington
Value: £545,000.00
Size: 2000 sq/ft
Duration: 12 weeks
Contract: JCT Minor Works
Architect: McFarlane Latter Architects
PQS: McFarlane Latter Architects
MEP: London Lightworks
Structural: Furness Partnership
About the project:
The works include French Institute intend carrying out improvements and the refurbishment of the Ground Floor entrance, Reception and main Foyer area as well as providing step-free access to the Lower Ground Floor and a disabled toilet.
The existing Ground Floor Foyer was refurbished in 2008 and included the installation of suspended ceiling rafts, a reception desk, storage and display units. The proposed alterations will replace the existing facilities and reinstate many of the original features of the building including fluted circular columns, stepped cornices and opening up the existing faience window in the entrance lobby.
The Cultural Centre of the French Institute in Queensberry Place was built in 1937 and is listed as Grade ll for its architectural and historic interest.
The building accommodates a variety of cultural and educational facilities including two cinemas, a multi-media library, function suite, Café and administration offices. The Centre and its activities promote French language and culture together with other Institute facilities in the “French Quarter” in South Kensington.
The objectives of the project are to improve security, internal circulation to the cinemas and other facilities, acoustic conditions and provide an enhanced customer experience with a new reception area, multi-media hub, information points and access to the Café.
Key proposals
Entrance Lobby:
- Retain and overhaul existing doors.
- Install remote locking, video entry system and CCTV coverage.
- Remove internal lining to faience window tracery and overhaul.
Foyer:
- Remove cladding to columns. Reinstate original fluted plaster to circular columns.
- Remove suspended ceilings. Repair soffits and beams and reinstate original stepped cornices.
- Install new suspended acoustic ceiling rafts between downstand beams.
Retain and repair existing marble floor. Clean and retreat surface and joints. - Repair windows where defective. Remove blinds and fit new roller blinds or voile curtains.
- Install new concealed and feature lighting and alter M & E and IT/AV services.
Office Area:
- Replace partition walls and suspended ceilings to altered Reception area, Marketing office and access corridor to adjacent buildings.
- Refurbish Marketing office, printer room and corridor with new coat cupboard. New fittings, finishes and services.
- Install new platform lift for step-free access between the Ground and Lower Ground Floor for access to Cinema 2 and the Class Room.
Hub and Café Entrance:
- Enclose existing lift to First Floor in acoustic slatted timber cladding to match Reception area. Enclosure to accommodate video wall and equipment.
- Form a new store between lift and Café for storage of loose furniture and accessories for the Foyer. Works to include partitioning, door, finishes and services.
- Remove existing doors and glazing to Café. Form additional entrance to the Café next to external wall. New “Crittall” style metal framed glazed double doors installed in new and existing Café entrance.
Lower Ground Floor:
- Form structural opening in floor slab for a new passenger platform Lift from the Reception area. Alter floor level for the lift car over run on Lower Ground Floor.
- Remove existing store and reconfigure tea point in Class Room. Form new entrance door to Class Room. Replace suspended ceilings and reconfigure lighting.
- Extend and refurbish lobby area for access to and from the new lift.
- Lift car to have doors on opposite sides for separate access at Ground and Lower Ground Floors.
- Alter Female Toilets to accommodate new DDA toilet with baby change facilities to match existing finishes.
The new passenger lift behind the Reception desk will provide step-free access from the Ground Floor to the Lower Ground Floor.
