Campbeltown Picture House

Narro were appointed to the Centenary Project contract, delivering full structural and civil engineering design for the refurbishment and expansion of Campbeltown Picture House. The restoration aimed to preserve the historic auditorium while modernising the cinematic experience in this Category A-listed landmark. In addition, the wider site saw significant development, including a newly built second screen, café, welfare facilities, and a plantroom at the rear.

Dating back to 1913, the Picture House stands as one of Scotland’s first purpose-built cinemas. At the time, designers followed cutting-edge guidelines that shaped both the layout and choice of materials. These regulations required key structural elements to be made from non-inflammable materials, ensuring safety in an era of rapid innovation.

Overcoming Technical and Structural Challenges

The project came with its fair share of technical challenges. The site sits atop reclaimed shore material, with the harbour in front and a narrow street at the rear. Given the unpredictable ground conditions, specialists carried out surveys, leading to a carefully considered design approach. Over time, the existing auditorium and original annex buildings had settled due to their shallow footings. To counter this, the new structures were firmly anchored on piles reaching down to bedrock, while engineers carefully designed the interfaces between old and new to minimise differential movement.

Space on-site was tight, with neighbouring buildings closely flanking either side. As a result, structural materials and construction methods were carefully selected during the design phase, ensuring a smooth and efficient build process. Work proceeded in a structured sequence, with each new area carefully planned to fit within the available space.

One particularly intricate task was the analysis of the historic steel roof trusses within the auditorium. These needed to support additional acoustic loadings inside, as well as new photovoltaic panels outside. Strengthening the original trusses posed a challenge, but engineers managed to complete the work while keeping the roof and finishes intact.

Thoughtful Design and Modern Enhancements

Wherever possible, the team preserved the building’s historic fabric. A key example was the partial reconstruction of a cantilevered filler joist concrete balcony, which had suffered severe deterioration due to the harsh marine environment.

The new second screen featured full acoustic separation, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. To accommodate cutting-edge mechanical and electrical equipment, engineers designed a suspended plantroom, vital for the demands of a modern cinema.

Narro redesigned the site drainage to move surface water attenuation from the front to the rear. They achieved this by closely collaborating with key stakeholders, including neighbouring property owners and Scottish Water.