A Cultural Icon, Renewed
After years of closure and uncertainty, the Edinburgh Filmhouse has returned to the city’s cultural landscape—refreshed, reimagined, and more accessible than ever. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh on Lothian Road, the venue has long been a cornerstone of independent cinema in Scotland. Its recent renovation, led by Unick Architects and main contractor Clark Contracts, has transformed the space into a modern, inclusive environment while respecting the historic integrity of the building.
Crafting the Cinema Experience with Ferco
A vital part of this transformation was the collaboration with Ferco Seating, who were brought in to provide cinema seating solutions that balanced comfort, performance, accessibility, and style. Working closely with the architects and client team, Ferco delivered a tailored seating package built around Quinette Gallay’s Action seat model—chosen for its iconic, ergonomic design and durability.
Each of the four new screening rooms now features Ferco’s seats in a configuration that enhances both audience experience and operational flexibility. The largest, Screen 1, is fitted with 186 Action Club seats, each with integrated cupholders. Screen 2 offers 70 Action Tip-up seats, also with cupholders. Screens 3 and 4 are equipped with 59 and 24 Action Club seats respectively, both incorporating Ferco’s K-Roll removable seat system.
This system allows pairs of seats to be quickly and easily removed to accommodate wheelchair users—installed in the back row of Screen 3 and the front row of Screen 4—ensuring the cinema is welcoming and inclusive to all guests.
Tailored Design, Thoughtful Finishes
In addition to functionality, design aesthetics were central to the seating specification. Each screen was given its own character through colour, using the Sunbury Madison velvet fabric in four distinct shades: Volcano (deep red) for Screen 1, Wisp (calm blue) for Screen 2, Fireglow (vibrant rust) for Screen 3, Salad (fresh green) for Screen 4.
This rich, flame-retardant, and abrasion-resistant fabric provides a luxurious finish while standing up to the demands of daily cinema use. Seat numbers and aisle letters were custom embroidered, adding a subtle, premium detail that enhances wayfinding and visual appeal.
A Collaborative Process
The partnership between Ferco and the project team was marked by a shared focus on detail, timeline, and user experience. From early design coordination through to final installation, Ferco played a hands-on role in ensuring that every seat met both the aesthetic vision of the architects and the practical needs of the cinema.
The reduction in overall capacity—from approximately 450 to 339 seats—was a deliberate choice that prioritised comfort, improved sightlines, and greater accessibility.
Opening a New Chapter for Filmhouse
The new Edinburgh Filmhouse reopened its doors in June 2025 to widespread praise. The reimagined venue delivers an elevated cinema experience, while staying true to its independent roots. Ferco’s seating contributes not only to the physical comfort of cinema-goers, but to the building’s renewed sense of purpose: an inclusive, high-quality, and beautifully considered space that reaffirms its place in Edinburgh’s cultural future.
