BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly

The iconic 195 Piccadilly has been the home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for the last forty years. The building is a central hub for all the academy’s activities including specialist screenings, judging panels, members club, gallery and external events. To ensure the building remains a world-class facility an extensive refurbishment has recently been completed.

The refurbished building includes two top-of-the-range cinemas, immersive events spaces, new roof terraces, exhibition spaces and a club area. As a key part of the design team, led by Benedetti Architects, Charcoalblue were responsible for a complete reimagining and specification of the audiovisual and screening systems. This includes the screening room where many BAFTA awards are decided, a smaller cinema, presentation and gaming theatre, a fully projection-mapped experience space, LED installations and a backbone infrastructure for broadcast and content distribution.

As the building is frequented by many of the leading lights of the British film, television and gaming industry, the design and implementation of technology must be of the highest possible standard. Charcoalblue worked closely with the client and many industry partners to create a space that is identifiable as the home of the moving image.