Middlesex University Designers Reimagine Historic Phoenix Cinema Foyer
Students and graduates from Middlesex University have presented creative concepts to refresh the foyer of the iconic East Finchley cinema.
By Priya Shah
••3 min read
AI
The historic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley, London.
Middlesex University students and graduates are helping to shape the future of the historic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley by developing new concepts for its foyer.
Students and recent graduates from Middlesex University have been involved in a live design project to reimagine the foyer of the historic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley. The initiative aims to refresh the cinema's entrance space while celebrating its heritage and community role.
Eighteen designers and architects from the University's MA Interiors Architecture and Design programme, along with graduates from the Interior Design and Interior Architecture courses, participated. Working in four teams, they developed ideas to update the foyer, honouring the cinema's history.
The Phoenix Cinema, originally opened as the East Finchley Picturedrome in 1912, is one of the UK's oldest cinemas and has been recognised with a shortlisting for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award.
The four teams presented their proposals on the cinema's iconic big screen in June to an audience including staff, trustees, and project stakeholders. Michael Westthorp, Senior Lecturer in Interiors at Middlesex University, highlighted the project's value in providing students with real-world client brief experience and fostering creativity.
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"This project gave our students the opportunity to work on a genuine client brief and experience the realities of professional practice. They approached the challenge with creativity, commitment and a strong understanding of the cinema's unique history and community value. Presenting their ideas on the big screen was a memorable experience, and the feedback from the client demonstrated just how impressed they were with the quality of the work."
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"The Phoenix Cinema project demonstrates the value of learning through live projects, where BA graduates and MA postgraduate students collaborate to create meaningful design responses for real public spaces. Through this unique partnership, students develop professional skills, strengthen their industry readiness, and gain invaluable experience working with live clients and authentic site conditions. As a department specialising in Interior Architecture and Design disciplines, we take great pride in supporting live projects such as The Phoenix Cinema."
The proposals are currently on display in the Phoenix Cinema foyer, allowing visitors to view the designs and consider future evolutions of the entrance space. A winning concept will be selected by the cinema's trustees by the end of 2026, with a £1,000 prize awarded.
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"Working on the Phoenix Cinema live project was a fantastic way to bring everything I learned at Middlesex University into a real-world setting. Our team’s concept, Before the Lights Dim, explored how cinema spaces can enrich the experience before and after a film, drawing on the venue’s unique history and character. It was incredibly rewarding to collaborate with my teammates, tutors and the Phoenix Cinema team throughout the process. It was a memorable way to complete my degree, and I’m excited to see what happens next."
Middlesex University's programmes in Interior Architecture, Interior Design, and MA Interiors Architecture and Design equip students with skills for creative, sustainable, and people-focused design, preparing them for careers in various design fields.
Based on information from the official source: Middlesex University (09/10/2026)
