De Paor Architects reveal the Palas cinema in Galway

Exterior view of the grey concrete Pálás Cinema building under a clear blue sky. The building features multiple windows and the wording 'PÁLÁS' on the side. There are residential buildings, greenery and a road nearby

Galway in Ireland is now home to the new Pálás cinema building, designed by de Paor Architects. Photography: Ed Reeve

(Image credit: Ed Reeve)

last updated 17 August 2022

Some 14 years after the idea for a new arthouse cinema in the west Irish coastal town of Galway was initially proposed, and now with film producers Element Pictures (who also run Dublin’s Light House Cinema) firmly on board, Pálás Cinema (or Palace) has arrived. And, despite its long-drawn inception, it does not disappoint.

A contemporary moulded-concrete ‘tower house’ located in the city’s so-called Latin Quarter, its somewhat austere exterior gives way to a dizzying interior layout of criss-crossing poured concrete stairs, nooks and passageways. In keeping with the 1820s merchant’s house that was formerly on the site, and whose façade has been recreated to house the ticket office, the spaces inside are domestic and welcoming in scale and contrast intriguingly with its monolithic appearance.

Architect Tom de Paor says he wanted the new Pálás Cinema to offer a contemporary reinvention of the west Irish vernacular of plain, powerful and solid limestone buildings or warehouses with small apertures and windows. To ‘soften the pill' he added ‘punky, decorative and Arts and Crafts' elements. Some of these are visible from the outside, such as the neon signs, the lettering spelling out the cinema’s name cast into the sides of the building and the 24 resin-coated window designs by late and renowned Irish artist Patrick Scott that reference the gel filters used in stage lighting. Stairwells, lobbies and rooms are bathed and dappled in red, amber, purple, green and yellow during the day as a result, and project playful light effects out into the city at night.

Closer exterior view of the grey concrete Pálás Cinema building under a clear blue sky. The building features multiple windows and the wording 'PÁLÁS' on the side. There are residential buildings, greenery and a road nearby — *The cinema building’s moulded concrete form clearly stands out in its surroundings. Photography: Ed Reeve*

In keeping with the more ‘dressed-up’ interiors ethos, the building’s three screens are also draped in sensuous red velvet on the ceilings and walls and filled with comfortable seating by historic French manufacturer Quinette Gallay. A ground-floor restaurant features leather banquette seating, marble-topped tables and an elongated chandelier by de Paor (who created all the fittings in the circulation spaces) made of stainless steel conduit and naked light bulbs. Meanwhile, the first floor bar is floored and lined with a luxuriant ebonised Sapele, the same timber used in the chamfered and beautifully detailed window frames throughout the building.

With its sober concrete exteriors, untempered circulation spaces and soaring voids, Pálás is architecturally quirky, brave, playful and provocative. Even de Paor admits to getting lost in it at times. But that is also the charm and trickery of it, one that makes the contrast with the hi-tech and plush cinema spaces all the more powerful.

Pálás is an unabashed attempt to make something contextual but new. Its managers hope it will become a much-loved hub for film lovers in a city already renowned for its film-making legacy and awarded UNESCO City of film status in 2014. Located on an important circulation axis into town, in a strategic gateway spot, de Paor’s building is a bold statement of intent.

Alternative exterior view of the grey concrete Pálás Cinema building with the lights on during the evening. The building features multiple windows and the wording 'PALAS'. Directly outside the building is a ramp leading up to it and a road — Led by Tom de Paor, the practice is based outside Dublin. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Close up exterior view of the box office at Pálás Cinema featuring glass windows with posters. Multiple illuminated bulbs on the wall can be seen through the windows along with the point of sale system and a glass cabinet with loose popcorn inside and boxes of popcorn on top — The new cinema is supported by film producers Element Pictures. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

View of a concrete and black space at Pálás Cinema featuring stairs, a black and glass door and a black wall sign with arrows pointing to the restaurant and screens — It took about 14 years for the project to come to life. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Interior view of the restaurant at Pálás Cinema featuring a concrete ceiling and walls, square tables with marble tops and tableware, brown seating, light wood chairs and a metal light fixture on the ceiling with multiple arms and bulbs — The austere exterior contains a variety of leisure facilities. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Interior view of a seating area at Pálás Cinema featuring light coloured walls, pendant lights, windows, dark wood flooring, dark coloured round tables and chairs and stools in two different colours — Interiors range in style and are often more domestic in scale and feel. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Interior view of the concrete and black stairwell at Pálás Cinema featuring wall lighting, a black door and a window — The sculptural exterior continues inside in several areas, such as the striking staircases. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Interior view of a screen at Pálás Cinema featuring a large screen, rows of dark coloured seats, lighting and a ceiling with red fabric draping which continues down the side walls — The building’s three screens are draped in sensuous red velvet on the ceilings and walls. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

Interior view of the stairwell at Pálás Cinema featuring concrete walls, a wall light, a black ceiling and a resin coated window — There’s also 24 resin-coated window designs by late renowned Irish artist Patrick Scott. They reference the gel filters used in stage lighting. *Photography: Ed Reeve*

INFORMATION

For more information visit the website of de Paor Architects

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Giovanna Dunmall is a freelance journalist based in London and West Wales who writes about architecture, culture, travel and design for international publications including The National, Wallpaper*, Azure, Detail, Damn, Conde Nast Traveller, AD India, Interior Design, Design Anthology and others. She also does editing, translation and copy writing work for architecture practices, design brands and cultural organisations.

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