Open Cinema reimagines the theater in Ann Arbor not simply as a venue for performance and film, but as a public cultural institution for connection and mutual care. Although the city has strong infrastructure, it lacks sufficient living and cultural spaces that are accessible to everyone, while many facilities provided by the University of Michigan remain centered on the university community. The project proposes an open theater that helps bridge this divide.

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The theater is combined with educational facilities, archives, and a film library, supporting not only screenings but also learning, documentation, gathering, and a wide range of community activities. Together, these programs create a cultural platform where citizens can meet, support one another, and develop stronger community relationships. The building’s elevations and materials draw from the architectural character of the surrounding neighborhood, allowing the new institution to become part of Ann Arbor’s everyday urban landscape rather than an isolated cultural object.