Dubai is one of the most populous cities in the Middle East. With its unique geographical features, it presents all the achievements of human development as an international city. At the beginning of this project conceptualization, we were inspired by this city’s unique geographical features and extracted design elements from the desert scenery and the Persian Gulf, which then distributed throughout the interior.
The cinema project is located in a prominent shopping mall called the Fountainview in Dubai. In order to increase the uniqueness of the project itself, we also combined the characteristics of the ‘fountain’ - smooth curve elements resembling the path of the water jet flowing from the fountain nozzle. These elements are integrated into the overall design, to give this cinema regional characteristics.
Main color of the interior echoes with the blue tone of the sea. We hope that whenever the audience steps into the cinema from the hot outdoor environment, they can quickly sense the quietness and coolness. Various shades of blue are used to evoke the audience's memory of the ocean. Brass-coloured metal strips were added on the walls and floors to increase the overall streamlined look. The brass colors resemble the colors of the deserts, yet again matching the geographical environment of Dubai. They are also the highlights in this big sea of blue interior. The curves appear throughout the interior, sometimes ‘flowing’ upwards, sometimes downwards, as if the trajectory left behind by the water jet flowing from the fountain nozzle. These lines run through different areas, acting as a linkage that miraculously connects the whole space.
In terms of functions, we added in areas of dining and bar. The client told us that this is the first cinema in Dubai to ever obtain a liquor license, so we designed an arc-shaped bar - the audience can sit around the bar to see the process of cocktails-making. Along the curved wall of the bar, a curved blue sofa was added - the smooth curvy lines reminded people of the softness of the water. The round sofa and comfortable seating make the whole bar both leisure and fun. At the same time, in terms of material selection, the sofa surface was covered with blue velvet. This velvet’s high-end feel and appearance elevated the luxurious experience for the audience. The main goal of other movable furniture also focuses on the comfortness, interspersed with yellow to express the consistent color scheme.
At the merchandise department, we also used the combination of blue and brass colors. Blue marble was chosen to decorate the bar, because the natural texture of the blue stone resembles the curling waves. The blue stone and the brass color of the metal create a very strong contrast which makes this space extra eye-catching. The hallway on the side leads to the entrance channels of the auditoriums. These channels keep on using blue as the main design color - the blue terrazzo on the ground and the white aggregate in the middle look like spray splashed by a curling wave. The blue metal on the wall can quickly calm people down and immerse themselves in this incredible visual feast.
Curved lines are extended into the auditoriums. They interspersed on the walls to create interesting patterns. Blue polka dots form a circle, reminding people of the water splashed in the fountain. The whole pattern strengthens the association with the water and main color themes.
In the bathroom the same combination of blue marble and blue terrazzo is used. The natural texture of marble is like the slow flow of waves; the artificial terrazzo matches with white aggregate - the blue and white texture also symbolizes the sprays when the waves struck the shore. The golden metal washbasin strengthens the color contrast between the desert and the ocean, completing the whole space in such unity.
Cinemacity in Dubai is our first project in the Middle East, and we hope that through our thoughtful interpretation, we can make this cinema design extra unique and memorable.