Reimagining the audience experience

Project Insight

The BFI Mediatheque provides a free digital service offering curated storytelling of the National Archive collections, from feature films to documentaries, home movies and kids’ TV - including many titles that have rarely been seen since their original broadcast, if at all.

Project Idea

The BFI was one of the first archives to offer public access to their collections. The BFI Mediatheque Southbank first opened in 2007, as the first in a series of nine Mediatheques nationwide. Since its opening the digital landscape has dramatically changed. Rapid adoption of new technologies meant that audience expectations and access habits were outstripping the original Mediatheque model.

Our dramatic transformation of the Southbank Mediatheque has created an exciting integrated audio visual experience for people of all abilities and ages.

Project Design

A semi-circle of tactile carpet extending into the BFI foyer is furnished with moveable ottomans, inviting passers-by to sit and watch curated content on the central console screens - it has become a popular waiting area for events in adjacent facilities. On the other side of the console are four touch-operated screens facing bespoke two-seater cinema-style sofas with in-built audio; ideal for casual viewing by singles, couples and families.

Further into the Mediatheque space, away from the foyer, are 12 viewing booths dedicated for research. In each booth is a desk with user-controlled lighting, space for two chairs, noise-cancelling headphones and a touch-screen for searching, watching and studying the archives.

Birch-faced plywood was specified with a wood wax and oil coating to give a clean and durable finish whilst the upholstered panels bring a softness to the booths and seating.

The revitalised Mediatheque allows anyone to feel confident to be curious, enter, linger and engage with the collections – a fun space that delivers a specialist service for researchers, as well as being a welcoming space for both the casual and first-timer user.