Editorial by Laurence Auer, Director of the Institut français • Renovation in progress • The Architect's project
Editorial by Laurence Auer, Director of the Institut français - slide over the paragraph below to see the whole editorial - “
Renovation work on the Ciné lumière is currently underway to improve the cinema-going experience for the public in terms of comfort, and image and sound quality. The renovations also reinstate the integrity of the art deco interior, preserving the unique quality and character of the Ciné lumière, and, ultimately, allow us to extend the cinema's ambitious range of activities. A digital projector will be installed; in the auditorium, seating and sound-proofing, air-conditioning and heating systems are improved; a lift to the cinema from the foyer area makes the Ciné lumière accessible to disabled audiences for the first time. The works have started on 7 July and are continuing through to December. Over this period, only the cinema is closed. La Médiathèque, the Language Centre and le Bistrot stay open, and our programme of talks, book launches and conferences continues, as well as our regular wine-tasting sessions. Some cinema-related activities continue at other outside venues: to keep informed of these events, subscribe to our e-newsletter by emailing
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The cinema's official re-opening is scheduled for January 2009 with an exciting line-up. With the new equipment, our programme of new releases, repertory screenings and festivals can be extended for the first time to include high-definition broadcasts of live events, and specialised programming for schools. We look forward to welcoming you to our new cinema in January. „
The renovation in progress
::: The lift in place
::: The newly-painted beams
::: Painting the walls inside the cinema
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© Photos by A. Brault - Institut français
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The Architect's Project
The renovation project is lead by Stefanie Fischer, Burrell Foley Fischer LLP, Architects and Urban DesignersThe renovation of the Ciné Lumière to improve comfort levels and image and sound quality is essential if the cinema is to compete with other arts cinemas in London, and to maintain its ambitious range of activities. The renovation work will allow us to welcome more cinema-goers, for more screenings, in a cinema equipped to the highest standards. And with the new multi-media technology, we will be able to continue to vary our programme to include screenings of new releases alongside classic films, festivals and retrospectives, to organise more school screenings, and to enlarge the scope of the cinema’s activities to include high-definition broadcasts of live events.
 ¬ Transversal view
© Stefanie Fischer, Burrell Foley Fischer LLP, Architects and Urban Designers
1 Image Quality and Ease of Operation
Image quality is currently compromised by the eccentric location of the projection room. Furthermore, the projection room is not large enough to house a new digital projector. The sound and light control room is currently separate from the projection room and is accessed via a ladder, which makes it challenging for a single projectionist to do their job effectively and safely.
Ciné lumière must be fitted with a digital projector, as 35mm prints, upon which films have traditionally been exhibited, will gradually be replaced by a digital format. Over 300 cinemas in the UK have already been equipped for the digital switchover.
Proposed improvements include creating a single enlarged projection and control room with sufficient space for the two existing 35mm projectors, the existing 16mm projector, a new digital projector, the slide and video projectors and the sound and light desk.
The new projection room arrangement will enable the projectors to be positioned more centrally to the screen, to avoid image distortion.
The provision of a new light control desk will allow speakers lights to be focussed from within the projection room and will improve the presentation of panel discussions following film screenings.
2 Noise Intrusion and Noise Break-out
The Ciné Lumière suffers from severe noise intrusion from the Lycée and from adjoining external areas. Noise break-out from the Ciné Lumière conversely causes noise disturbance in the adjoining library and to neighbouring properties.
Proposed improvements include introducing secondary glazing within the deep reveals to the existing twelve large single glazed windows to provide adequate sound insulation, and upgrading all the auditoria doors with high performance acoustic rated doors with seals.
© Stefanie Fischer, Burrell Foley Fischer LLP, Architects and Urban Designers
3 Disabled Access
There is currently no access for people with mobility disabilities to the Ciné Lumière and library located at first floor level within the French Institute.
Proposed improvements include installing a platform lift, providing a disabled toilet and a choice of seating positions for wheelchair users within the auditorium.
4 Adjustments to Stage
In order to maintain a viable seating capacity the stage depth is being reduced and the screen is being relocated towards the rear of the stage. The space available immediately in front of the screen is being maintained for panel discussions, piano accompaniment to silent films and for music performances and events.
The proposed adjustment to the stage depth means that the art deco windows closest to the stage, which are currently covered over, can once again be revealed to reinstate the original architectural integrity of the room without compromise to the practical requirements for screenings and events.
 ¬ Filmgoer's view
5 Measures to Improve Comfort Levels in the Auditorium
The current seating arrangement with narrow seating tiers and seats fixed at close centres, does not meet the expectations of modern cinema going audiences. Comfort levels are significantly poorer than in comparable arts cinemas.
Proposed improvements include replacement of the existing seats with comfortable cinema seats of a contemporary design that is sympathetic to the art deco character of the Ciné Lumière. More generous seat tier widths and seat centres are proposed to improve comfort levels.
6 Screen, Maskings and Curtains
Sightlines of the bottom of the screen are currently compromised and are particularly bad from seat positions towards the rear of the stalls.
Proposed improvements include raising the height of the bottom and top picture line to provide clear sightlines from all seating positions. The side curtain and stage curtains are being replaced.
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