Middlesex designers take centre stage at historic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley

Students and graduates pitch creative ideas for foyer of landmark cinema, with designs now on display

Students and recent graduates from Middlesex University have been helping to shape the future of one of London's most cherished independent cinemas through a live design project to reimagine the foyer of the historic Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley.

Eighteen budding designers and architects from the University's MA Interiors Architecture and Design programme, alongside recent graduates from the Interior Design and Interior Architecture courses, volunteered to take part in the initiative. Working in four teams made up of students from different year groups, they were asked to come up with ideas to refresh the cinema’s foyer, while celebrating its rich heritage and strengthening its role at the heart of the local community.

The Phoenix Cinema, which first opened as the East Finchley Picturedrome in 1912, (and later the Rex) is one of the UK's oldest cinemas and has been shortlisted for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year award.

The four teams presented their proposals at the cinema in June, showcasing their ideas on the venue's iconic big screen to an audience that included staff, trustees and key people involved in the project.

Michael Westthorp, Senior Lecturer in Interiors at Middlesex University, said:

"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."

The proposals are now on display in the Phoenix Cinema foyer, allowing visitors to view the different designs and consider how the entrance space could evolve in the future.

By the end of 2026, a winner will be selected by the cinema's trustees, with a £1,000 prize awarded to the team behind the successful concept.

Reflecting on her experience of the project, Yee Mon Aung, graduate BA (Hons) Interior Architecture, said:

“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.”

The University's BA Interior Architecture and BA Interior Design programmes empower students to transform spaces through creative, sustainable and people-focused design, while the MA Interiors Architecture and Design programme equips students with the skills to change existing spaces through innovative, sustainable and human-centred design.

Graduates on all programmes have gone on to careers in interior architecture, interior design, exhibition and museum design, retail and hospitality environments and workplace design.

Find out more about Middlesex University Art and Design degrees.