Bournemouth Borough Council commissioned Feria Urbanism to provide specific advice on the role and purpose of the former IMAX cinema site once demolition was completed in 2013.

The IMAX building was torn down to make way for what has been described as an outdoor performance venue, and our work provided advice on the design, management and animation of the newly created space.

In order to optimise the benefits of the resulting civic space, there was a need to thoroughly understand how the new outdoor area could play a complementary role alongside existing spaces in the town centre.

Furthermore, we considered how the immediate environmental, economic and social context influenced the space; assessed how the site’s context informed a robust set of design principles; developed a schedule of architectural interventions and themes best applied to the site; and compiled a suggested list of events, activities and design interventions suitable for the space.

Our report brought together these various strands of work to inform the final treatment and management of the new civic space.