h2o architectes: studio des ursulines cinema

‘studio des ursulines cinema’ by h2o architectes, paris, france image © stéphane chalmeau all images courtesy of h2o architectes

parisian firm h2o architectes have recently refurbished the ‘studio ursulines cinema’ founded in 1925 by actors armand tallier and laurence myrga, as a theater aimed at the younger population to show a selection of films and hold events to meet the directors as well. the small space contains an entrance lobby in a rectangular shaped room with an elliptical void in the ceiling and a curtain wall entrance. large movie posters are displayed on the walls in large gold brass frames in this multi-functional space used as both a ticket booth and event area.

the remodel culminated into the addition of a simple and effective centrally-located piece. this installation is a geometric puzzle with foldable, moveable and slidable pieces that fit into a block. this piece can be manipulated to service almost any function, from seating to reception and podium, with built in shelves and nooks. other storage systems have been embedded into the outer walls opening the interior into a free-flowing circulation. the dynamic volume maintains the language of the cinema, with brass sliding tracks on maroon colored strips that presents itself as a large scale toy for all the ages, in constant movement as movie-going visitors make it their own.

transformation of the interactive piece image © stéphane chalmeau

easily slidable pieces on brass tracks image © stéphane chalmeau

installation opens transforming the space image © stéphane chalmeau

progression of sliding parts image © stéphane chalmeau

detail image © stéphane chalmeau

open back end as a ticket booth image © stéphane chalmeau

(left) exterior of cinema (right) interior of theater image © stéphane chalmeau

floor plan / before

floor plan / after

floor plan / compact

floor plan / seating and booth

floor plan / ticket booth