SRT cinemas are an idea born out of the client’s interest & the designer’s passion for cinema. The intent was to renovate the 40 year old theatre building & present the user with a fascinating movie experience by means of maximizing the screen size, introducing a high quality 7.1 Dolby sound system, technologically advanced projection system, ergonomically designed seating layout & unhindered sightlines.
The design brief was a clean slate left to the imagination of the design team & the inspiration for design was sought from the location & surroundings of the theatre and the studying the lifestyle of the user.
Nostalgia and awe are key features of the design, which assimilates visitors the second they enter the lobby with two curved staircase.
Located amidst farms and fields, it was a common to sight flocks of birds during dawn and dusk. The design intent was to reinterpret this familiar scene inside the confines of a cinema. Integrating lighting automation technology and custom designed lights that are inspired from the wingspan of birds help in creating a surreal experience of a flock of birds descending into the theatre space. The lighting sequence is programmed based on the timing between shows and initiated during the interval breaks.
The curved arrangement of seats enhances the viewing experience. Just as the audience converges at the center aisle during the end of a show, the seats are also arranged to merge in the center, where the black and red seats fade out into each other. A view from the screen towards the top rows creates a perception of the red seats blending into the black seats eventually merging with the background, thereby making the space look much large that was it actually is.
The design of the lobby is inspired by the classical double staircase of the traditional homes around the region. Both the curved stairs lead to the upper level of the cinema. The double height walls along the stairs act as canvas to showcase the black and white portraits of yesteryear actors and their movie posters. The walk up to the cinemas screen is a designed to be a nostalgic experience for older audience.
The façade is covered with ACP panel, which are layered in multiple tiers as they rise up. The project being a brand building exercise for the client resulted in becoming a land mark for the small town that it is located in.
Website link : www.ksquarearchitects.com
Youtube link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM3ozv-lAe8