Best of the Year Awards-Southampton Playhouse

Southampton Playhouse named Best of Year Honoree by Interior Design Magazine

Interior Design Magazine has recognized our Southampton Playhouse renovation as a Best of Year Awards Honoree in the Entertainment category. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Interior Design Best of Year Awards celebrates the most innovative work from around the world, spotlighting standout projects, products, and the creative minds shaping what’s happening now and next in design.

Our renovation of the Southampton Theatre, originally opened in 1932, revitalizes the historic cinema as the Southampton Playhouse, a state-of-the-art cinematic and multi-purpose cultural venue. Following its closure during the pandemic, the renovation breathes new life into the beloved community hub through a careful combination of preservation and renovation.

Located in the heart of Southampton’s landmark district, the project reinterprets the building’s interior while preserving its iconic facade through close collaboration with the Village’s Architectural and Historic Review Board. Spanning 14,500 square feet, the renovation reimagines the space for film screenings, live performances, and community events, responding to the evolving needs of the Southampton community.

The project scope included a complete overhaul of the building’s interior, which had previously undergone the conversion to a four-plex cinema in the 1990s. A new double-height lobby, designed to evoke the open, airy feeling of a gallery, serves as the welcoming heart of the theater. Clean, expansive white walls create a bold contrast to the vintage exterior and are adorned with a series of interactive digital installations and displays for movie promotion and wayfinding. The lobby now features an updated concessions area, an advanced ticketing system, and expanded lounge areas to create a more streamlined, comfortable visit for attendees.

The four auditoriums, each defined by its own monochromatic color scheme, were individually designed to offer distinct cinematic experiences. Theater 1 features a digital IMAX system, the only one of its kind in the area, while Theater 3 offers a more traditional experience with 35mm film projection. Auditorium Four is a versatile, multi-functional space, adaptable for both large screenings and community events, while Theater 2 provides an intimate viewing environment. Each theater features modernized, ergonomic seating chosen for comfort and durability.