IN-PERSON: Learning. Life. Work

Abstract

This study reflects on an innovative design studio at Queen’s University Belfast that amalgamates the domains of architecture and cinema, utilising cinematic analysis methods such as storyboard, collage, cinematic plan and moodPaint. By embracing filmmaking practices, the studio redefines the boundaries of architectural creativity and narrative spatial design. Within the studio, the fusion of cinematic analysis methods and architectural design processes takes centre stage. Students explore storyboarding, a technique borrowed from film production to craft intricate narratives within architectural projects. Collage, employed in cinema for visual storytelling, becomes a powerful tool for assembling diverse architectural elements. The cinematic plan offers a novel perspective on spatial design, allowing architects to choreograph spatial experiences. Inspired by film’s ability to evoke emotions, MoodPaint, an acrylic/watercolour painting capturing the invisible in a film, guides architects in crafting atmospheres within their designs. In parallel, filmmaking practices, such as concept film, are harnessed to articulate architectural concepts in dynamic, narrative-driven ways. Site films enable designers to explore the context of a project. Animation, with its capacity to visualise complex sequences, empowers architects to communicate intricate design proposals. The outcomes of this cross-disciplinary collaboration are a series of outside-the-box projects that transcend conventional architectural boundaries. Architectural spaces are transformed into immersive narratives, and cinematic techniques elevate the storytelling potential of these environments. The projects underscore the profound impact of cinematic analysis methods and filmmaking practices on architectural theory and practice, guiding in a new era of bottom-up montaged architecture. The studio expands the creative horizons of design where architects, artists and filmmakers collaboratively shape environments.