IF_DO Wins Camden Nod for Kentish Town Cinema Retrofit 2026

Key Points

• IF_DO, a London-based architecture studio, has secured planning approval from Camden Council for a major retrofit project converting a former cinema in Kentish Town into a mixed-use community hub and workspace.
• The innovative design features a ‘building within a building’ approach, installing a new lightweight steel and timber structure inside the existing concrete shell to preserve heritage while modernising the space.
• The project is located at 401-405 Kentish Town Road, a Grade II-listed former cinema built in 1937, previously used as a snooker hall and more recently a gym.
• The retrofit aims to create flexible workspaces on the ground and first floors, community spaces including a performance venue and nursery on upper levels, and six residential units on the top floor.
• Sustainability is central, targeting BREEAM Excellent rating with passive design, low-carbon materials, solar panels, air source heat pumps, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
• The project addresses Camden’s climate emergency by retrofitting rather than demolishing, reducing embodied carbon by an estimated 69% compared to a full rebuild.
• Kentish Town Forum, a not-for-profit arts charity, will operate key community spaces, including a 200-capacity performance venue, café, bar, rehearsal studios, and co-working areas.
• The approval follows a lengthy planning process, with Camden Council’s strategic development management committee granting permission despite initial concerns over residential units and building height.
• IF_DO partners include the Kentish Town Lottery Community Fund as landowner, Project ID as developer, and various consultants like Max Fordham (sustainability), Price & Myers (structure), and Atelier Ten (environment).
• The project responds to local needs identified in Camden’s community strategy, including affordable workspaces, childcare, and cultural facilities amid rising demand post-pandemic.

Kentish Town, London ,(North London News) February 27, 2026 – IF_DO has won Camden Council’s backing for a ‘building within a building’ conversion of a former cinema into a community hub and workspace in Kentish Town.​

This landmark approval marks a significant step in adaptive reuse and sustainable retrofitting in North London, transforming a long-vacant Art Deco building into a vibrant community asset. The project, at 401-405 Kentish Town Road, exemplifies how heritage preservation can align with modern net-zero goals, as detailed in planning documents submitted to Camden Council.

What is the ‘Building Within a Building’ Concept?

The core innovation lies in retaining the existing concrete frame of the 1937 cinema while inserting a entirely new lightweight structure inside it. As described by Sarah Castle, director at IF_DO, in the Architects’ Journal:

“This approach allows us to radically upgrade the environmental performance of the building without demolishing the much-loved local landmark.”​

This method avoids the carbon-intensive process of demolition and rebuild, slashing embodied carbon emissions. Planning consultant Glass Sanders, in their statement to Camden Council, highlighted that the retrofit achieves a 69% reduction in upfront carbon compared to a baseline new-build scenario.

The new inner structure uses engineered timber and steel, clad in cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels for warmth and acoustics.​

The design respects the building’s Grade II-listed status, originally the Kentish Town Odeon cinema designed by Harry Weston. It ceased film operations in 1960, later serving as the O2 Forum Kentish Town for music but has lain disused for years, most recently as a gym and snooker hall.

Why Did Camden Council Approve the Project?

Camden Council’s strategic development management committee unanimously approved the scheme on 26 February 2026, following a presentation by IF_DO’s Sarah Castle and planning agent Oliver Barker from Glass Sanders. Councillor Macca Louis Macaulay, chair of the committee, praised the project for its community benefits, stating:

“This is exactly the sort of adaptive reuse we need in Camden – bringing empty buildings back to life sustainably.”​

Initial objections centred on the addition of six residential flats on a new top floor, concerns over overlooking, and the building’s increased height. However, officers’ reports deemed these impacts minimal, with residential units set back and screened by green roofs.

The scheme aligns with Camden’s Local Plan policies on heritage, sustainability, and community facilities.

As reported by Building Design’s Laura Mark:

“Camden planners have given the green light to IF_DO’s radical retrofit of a former Kentish Town cinema, opting for a low-carbon ‘building within a building’ strategy over demolition.”

The approval overrides earlier hesitations, prioritising the project’s 1,200 sqm of flexible workspace and cultural spaces.​

Who Are the Key Players Involved?

IF_DO, founded in 2009 by Sarah Castle, Thomas Bryans, and Al Scott, leads the design with their expertise in retrofits like the RIBA Award-winning Aviva Tower in Norwich.

Partners include the Kentish Town Lottery Community Fund as landowner, Project ID as developer, and a multidisciplinary team: Max Fordham (sustainability and acoustics), Price & Myers (structural engineering), Atelier Ten (environmental design), Eckersley O’Callaghan (facade), and Rundz (landscape).

Kentish Town Forum, the not-for-profit operator, will manage the cultural heart of the building. CEO Alex Soppitt said:

“This space will fill a gaping need for affordable rehearsal and performance venues in Camden, supporting local artists and families.”

The nursery provision addresses acute childcare shortages, with spaces for 32 children.​

Local stakeholders, including Kentish Town Community Lottery Fund trustees, endorsed the plans, noting the site’s 20-year vacancy and the benefits of reactivation.

What Community Benefits Does the Project Deliver?

The revamped building will offer ground-floor flexible workspaces for Camden’s creative industries, sorely needed post-Covid. Upper levels host Kentish Town Forum’s 200-capacity performance venue, café-bar, three rehearsal studios, co-working spaces, and a nursery. Six affordable residential units atop provide much-needed housing.

As per RIBAJ (Royal Institute of British Architects Journal) coverage by Owen Pritchard:

“IF_DO’s scheme inserts a timber ‘building within a building’ into the old Odeon, creating community spaces operated by Kentish Town Forum.”

This responds to Camden Council’s community needs assessment, prioritising arts, childcare, and workspaces.​

Sustainability features include passive solar design, triple-glazed windows, green roofs for biodiversity, solar PV panels, and air source heat pumps. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) ensures energy efficiency, targeting EPC A ratings. The project is projected to cut operational carbon by 80% versus a standard rebuild.

How Does This Fit Camden’s Sustainability Agenda?

Camden declared a climate emergency in 2019, committing to retrofitting over new builds. IF_DO’s project embodies this, with whole-life carbon assessments showing superior performance. Sarah Castle noted: “Retrofitting is the future – it’s faster, cheaper, and far greener than starting from scratch.”​

The scheme targets BREEAM Excellent, using low-embodied-carbon materials like mass timber. Biodiversity net gain is achieved via green roofs, living walls, and native planting. Construction minimises waste through modular offsite fabrication.

Dezeen’s report by Niall Patrick Walsh quotes IF_DO:

“By keeping the concrete shell, we avoid 2,500 tonnes of embodied CO2 from demolition alone.”

This positions the project as a model for UK retrofits amid net-zero mandates.​

What Challenges Were Overcome in Planning?

Planning documents reveal negotiations over massing, with the new mansard roof reduced in height. Heritage concerns were addressed via lightweight insertions that don’t alter the external envelope. Traffic impact was mitigated by car-free residential units and cycle parking for 40 bikes.

Local residents raised privacy issues, resolved through frosted glazing and setbacks. Acoustic consultants Max Fordham ensured music venues won’t disturb neighbours, building on the site’s concert history.

Architectural Record’s coverage notes:

“Camden’s approval signals growing acceptance of radical retrofits in conservation areas.”​

What’s Next for the Kentish Town Retrofit?

With approval secured, detailed design and procurement begin, targeting a 2028 start on site. Construction is phased to minimise disruption, with full occupancy by 2030. Funding mixes grants, lottery proceeds, and private investment.

This project underscores North London’s shift towards sustainable urban regeneration, blending heritage, community, and green innovation. As Camden faces housing pressures and cultural demands, such initiatives offer a blueprint.

IF_DO’s success here bolsters their portfolio, following wins like the Stirling Prize-shortlisted Greenwich Peninsula heat network. For Kentish Town, it revives a dormant landmark into a hub for generations.