Southampton Playhouse, USA

Originally built in 1932, the Southampton Playhouse has been reimagined as a contemporary, immersive cinema experience while preserving its historically registered façade. The renovation required balancing modern technology, architectural clarity, and the needs of nearly 1,000 patrons, all within a beloved community landmark.

The lighting concept centers on four immersive, monochromatic color rooms inspired by the Delphi Lux Cinema in Berlin, as well as Olafur Eliasson’s Room for One Colour (1997). Each space is transformed through a unified palette of lighting and finishes, allowing programmable LED systems to achieve full-spectrum saturation and create a heightened sensory environment. Matching architectural surfaces to lighting color was essential in delivering this level of visual intensity while maintaining comfort, clarity, and proper contrast ratios for guests.

All cinemas are equipped with RGBW color-changing fixtures controlled through theatrical-grade lighting systems. These controls are fully synchronized with projection, audio cues, and pre-show content, allowing lighting to transition seamlessly from arrival to screening. This integration supports a wide range of programming beyond traditional film showings, including director talks, live presentations, and special events.

Cinema 3 incorporates dedicated theatrical lighting to support discussions and presentations, while Cinema 4 features reconfigurable seating and adaptable lighting to accommodate community events, performances, and flexible screening formats. The smallest cinema offers a more intimate viewing experience, softly illuminated in red through a clean, evenly distributed pipe-grid lighting system that reinforces both visual comfort and architectural clarity. Across all theaters, lighting equipment is discreetly integrated into the architecture, maintaining a minimal design language and ensuring that illumination enhances rather than distracts from the cinematic experience.

Beyond the theatres, lighting was carefully considered throughout the Playhouse to support safety, accessibility, and intuitive wayfinding. A double-height entrance leads into a café and merchandise zone illuminated by a flexible, adaptable lighting solution that responds to changing uses and occupancy levels. Aisle lighting, lobbies, restrooms, the bookstore, and exterior areas are thoughtfully layered to guide patrons while maintaining a cohesive visual identity. Energy-efficient LED sources and control systems reduce consumption beyond baseline requirements while offering flexibility for daily use and high-traffic periods.

At night, the preserved façade and iconic 1980’s marquee transform the Playhouse into a warm, glowing beacon for Southampton. By blending historic preservation with immersive lighting design, the revitalized Southampton Playhouse strengthens its role as a cultural anchor, expanding programming opportunities, fostering community engagement, and creating a memorable destination for generations to come.