Brief

In 2010, we were commissioned by Melcorpo Commercial Properties to re-imagine level 3 of Drogheda Town Centre. At the time the centre was suffering from the economic downturn and was under pressure to survive against satellite retail parks on the periphery of the town. In order to revitalise the centre, Lafferty Architects realised that there was a genuine need for a modern cinema in Drogheda. A cinema in this location would not only protect the shopping centre but also contribute positively to the town. In June 2013 planning permission was secured for a six-screen cinema and by August of the same year shell construction work had commenced.

Solution

The centre struggled to let the space at level 3 and a cinema proved a perfect solution to a dead end part of the centre. The six-screen, 800 seat facility was constructed by negotiating with and modifying the existing structures and services within a live shopping centre.

The typography and historical context of Drogheda meant that there were tight restrictions around overall height and a plant located on the roof. To ensure that the structure impacted positively on the town, coordination with the mechanical and electrical plant was essential. 3D views using BIM helped convince the planners that the addition did not have a negative impact on the town.

The mechanical and electrical engineer, structural engineer and architect used an integrated BIM approach throughout the design process. This enabled the structure to integrate with its building services, ultimately achieving a condensed and efficient layout that satisfied the tight site constraints and the end user.

The fit out for The Arc Cinema was extended into developing a new brand concept, name and expression based on ‘hero moments’ identifiable from movies of the past. This coupled with a high-end, comfortable feeling helps make the Arc Cinema experience unique to the cinema user.

Outcomes

The ARC Cinema has revitalised our client’s asset by increasing footfall in Drogheda Town Centre. The development saw a sizable investment into Drogheda by Melcorpo Commercial Properties and resulted in the first tower crane to be erected in Drogheda for 6 years. Since opening in July 2014, the cinema has improved footfall in the town centre and most importantly helped draw people back to the heart of the town.

This project won the Leisure Fit-Out Project 2014 at the Irish Fit-Out Awards.

Testimonial