Urban Building / Film City Institute
Located in the city centre of Glasgow, this project envisions a new cultural landmark: the Film City Glasgow Institute. Designed as an accessible gateway into the world of film production, the institute serves both as a public destination and an educational hub. It offers visitors the chance to discover the role of Film City Glasgow in Scotland’s creative realm, while also providing pathways for those interested in gaining foundational knowledge of the film industry.
The institute’s programme varies, combining public engagement with professional learning. A gallery, cinema, café, library, archive, working studios, seminar spaces, and workshops come together to create an active environment where culture and craft intersect. At the core of the design concept is the idea of going behind the scenes, revealing the processes and people that bring the films to the big screens. This theme is embodied in the building’s distinctive envelope: a shimmering chainmail curtain that wraps the front facade. Acting as both a functional facade and a powerful metaphor, it marks the threshold between the everyday city and the immersive world of film production. This architectural gesture invites visitors to step through and explore the layers of creativity and knowledge that define the institute’s purpose.
