CINEMAS

Projection

Before embarking on the design of a cinema, ask the advice of a

cinema equipment company.
Picture projection: Fire-separation materials are no longer
required in the projection room due to the use of safety film. One
projectionist operates a number of projectors, so the projection
room is no longer considered as continuously occupied by staff.
It has 1 m spacing from the projector at the back and on the
max. outer edge of seating block
operator side, 2.80 m height, ventilation and extraction, and sound
= outside edge of picture insulation to the auditorium. The projection rooms of several
last row of seats auditoriums can be combined together.
Film widths are 16 mm, 35 mm and 70 mm. The centre of the
projection beam should not deviate more than so horizontally and
vertically from the centre of the screen or it should be redirected
by a deflection mirror -'> 0.
Conventionally, two projectors are operated with cross-blending.
Automated operation with one projector plus horizontal film tray
showing 4000 m reels without pause has become established
worldwide, in many projection rooms remotely run from projection
and control points. The film gives automatic signals for all
projection functions like lens changing, hall lighting, stage lighting,
plan view curtain and picture covering.
CINEMAS
Projection
Auditorium
0 Optimal auditorium Picture sizes: These depend on the distance of the projector
from the screen and having a height-side relationship of 1:2.34
Multiplex cinemas
Drive-in cinemas (Cinemascope) or 1:1.66 (wide screen) with a narrow auditorium
width. The angle from the centre of the back row of seating to the
outer edge of the picture should not exceed, for Cinemascope,
38° = distance of the back row : screen = 3:2 -7 f) - e.
Screen: Distance of the screen from the wall with BTX (-'> p. 223)
is min. 120 em; according to cinema size and system this can be
reduced to 50 em on the setting up of the sound system.
The screen is perforated (sound-permeable). Retracting blinds
or curtains restrict the screen at the sides with the same picture
height. Large screens are curved in a radius centred on the back
row of seats. The lower edge of the screen should be min. 1.20 m
I I wide screen 1:1.85
'Kinoton' format 1:2 above the floor -'> 0.
70mm
Cinemascope 1:2.34
I I Auditorium: This should receive no incoming light except for
emergency lighting. The walls and ceilings should be of non-
Picture formats with same picture height reflecting material in relatively dark colours. The audience should
sit within the outer edge of the screen. The viewing angle from the
first row of seats to the centre of the picture should not exceed 30°.

1JJJ
1
8 Picture formats with same picture width
Ur e
31.5 83 125 250 500 1K

Permissible reverberation time depending on frequency

2K 4K 8K 16K frequency

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64 126 250 500 1000 2000 4000 8000 0.1 /
frequency 30 m3 300 m3 3000 m3
e Permissible disturbance level e Reverberation time relative to auditorium volume

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 1---- 2.0 ------1
CINEMAS
Auditorium

Up to a 10% floor gradient is permissible, or else steps with max.

16 em risers and aisles of 1.20 m width~ 0. Up to 10 seats may
be arranged on each side of each aisle ~ e.
:T~ Acoustics
f--1 f--1 Adjacent auditoriums should be separated by walls of approx.
;:;;4o ;:;;4o
1-1.2 m row spacing 1 - - 2.4 ------1
85 dB 18-20 000 Hz ~ p. 222 0. The ceiling should feature
sound-directing surfaces with low acoustic delay difference
0 Spacing and rows of seats. Cinema Boxes may have ~20 loose chairs;
time.
seats are normally larger than the "'0.65 m2 floor area for each person
minimum dimensions stipulated by
The reverberation time can increase with growing auditorium
the Public Assembly Regulations.
volume and reduces from 0.8 to 0.2 s from low to high frequencies.
90 1.2 ~ p. 222. The rear wall behind the last row of seats should have
t---1 f--------1 an insulated surface to prevent echo .

. mtw~1 :m~~·m:·"··" Loudspeakers are distributed in the auditorium so that the

difference in volume between the front and back rows does not
exceed 4 dB.
Sound reproduction
In addition to mono optical sound reproduction, the Dolby
;r a~ ~~viation: stereo optical system with four channels will be required in the
A : 6 C
0 0 future, using three loudspeaker combinations behind the screen
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f--1 f--------1 2.00 corridor and additional speakers at the sides and back. For 70 mm
90 1.2 film, 6 channel magnetic sound, there are additional speaker Projection
Auditorium
Seating -A: for auditorium "'200 people; B: "'200 people; C: 50 seats, if there
combinations behind the screen. With BTX, behind the screen Multiplex cinemas
there is a sound-absorbing wall (following the Lucas film system), Drive-in cinemas
is a door at the side for every four rows
in which the loudspeaker combinations are installed. Model Public
Assembly

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Cash desks Regulations
Predominantly electronic booking and reservation systems: 1 cash
desk per 300-400 seats, requiring approx. 5 m2 •
Types of cinema
'Programme cinemas': As a counter-trend to multiplex

.... cinemas ~ p. 224, city centres have seen the establishment of

3.50 .

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'programme cinemas', which mostly show specialist films. Sizes
of 50-200 seats are usual, normally in combination with eating/
drinking facilities~ 0.

f)
Ill ~Ill wall

Access roads and through roads 9 Distance of the building from the
Circarama/Panorama cinemas: Round or spherical screens
increase the impression of being directly involved in the action.
Because special film techniques are required for these (a
plot boundaries depending on
number of visitors number of cameras have to film the same view simultaneously),
there are only a few films available, and this type of cinema
is therefore restricted to adventure parks and planetariums ~
e-e.

I
Auditorium

I
I !D
"'II
!D
VII

I
I
12'

e Auditorium for panoramic films Circarama. Picture surface spherical

(360'), on which a consolidated
Zazie 'programme cinema' with 0 Auditorium for flat films picture from 11 simultaneously
running projectors can be shown.
cafe and bar, Halle (Saale)
Arch.: Complizen.com Example: Brussels Expo

223
 CINEMAS
\ I
\ I Multiplex Cinemas

.II
0 Access to cinema auditoriums
With a number of screens of various sizes in one building, multiplex
cinemas are often combined with shopping centres, car parks etc,
which require extensive parking space ~ p. 225. The auditoriums
are reached via a common entrance and sometimes stacked. On
account of the large numbers of visitors, good orientation and
clear signing to the individual screens is important. The location of
the screens in relation to the entrance foyer should be according
to their size (large screens nearest to the foyer), or the largest
screen in a central location/on the direct route from the foyer. The
sizes of the single auditoriums depend on the requirements of the
operator, as also the spacing of the rows, foyer design etc.
The cash desk zone should be near the entrance, the number of
desks dependent on the number of seats: approx. 5 m2 floor areal
cash desk; for 2500 seats, approx. 6-8 cash desks.
f) Schematic arrangement of cinema The entrance foyer should be of generous proportions, clearly laid
auditoriums on one level
out and at a prominent location in the building; it includes the main
entrance, food/drink counters and access to the screens. Before
the access points to the individual screens on different floors,
Screen -wall distance there are normally additional foyers with bar counters, WCs etc.
The main foyer should be of adequate size for events (premieres,
CINEMAS Screen
presentations etc.).
Projection
Auditorium Because eating and drinking are normally a significant part of the
Multiplex
cinemas
cinema concept, counters should be provided in central locations
Drive~in cinemas with the necessary storage and service facilities.
Model Public Atsle wtdth mm 90 em
Assembly Cinema auditorium
Regulations
The screen should fill the entire wall; there should be no exits in
this wall or the side walls near to it. Cross-passages should be
Row of seats ·. Row of seats
provided as a connection between the doors or at a side entrance
to reach the side aisles ~ p. 235.
Projection room
·~seatrowstepB 1.20mr- .'
Minimum room size: 6.50 x 2.80 x 2.80 m 0/IJ x D x H). Projection
window size approx. 150/250 x 50 em (one or two projectors) Film
can be supplemented by video projectors, and space should also
Steps ·.. fCross-passage step B = 1.80 m Steps
~ ·..!' : ,....,.....,-,- be provided for horizontal film tray equipment and control desk.
The platform under the projectors should be vibration-free. A
noise level of approx. 75 dB must be damped to 30 dB by the
projection window. The working temperature should not exceed
22oc in order to protect film copies and equipment.
Subsidiary rooms
These are to be provided as required: offices for the manager,
secretary and employees, archive, IT room, staff rooms (changing
rooms, ladies' and gents' WCs, staff rest room).
Projector
For the foyer and food/drink area: catering stores, counter stores,
Hall proportions: 1.1.3 -1.4:0.5 (W x D x H) Screen distance A= 1.20- 1.50 m cool room, room for empties, rubbish room, cleaning equipment
Curtain storage space 8: each side approx. 1O% of the screen width
Distance C (head front row- screen): approx. 75% of the clear room height room, stores for cleaning firm and decoration.
Width of curtain pocket: approx. 40 em
Screen curvature: circular arc (centre projector), from about 500 seats
Top of screen: about 0,30 m below ceiling, bottom of screen: about 0.80 m above FFL
Height of screen: results from the values given above
Width of screen: screen height x 2.35 (largest format: Cinemascope)
Clear ceiling height above the back row: min. 2.30 m

C) Generalised ground floor plan of a larger auditorium with technical dimensions

e Wide screen projection equipment e Projection room

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 CINEMAS
Multiplex Cinemas, Examples

The town-planning situation plays a significant role in the number

of cinema screens that can be combined into a unit. Possible forms
are layered stacking (screens stacked as a cube, access and service
functions connected in free form at the side)--> 8- 0, or a horizontal
row of screens (larger cinemas from the 1960s were extended with
further screens, sunk into the ground for conservation reasons) -->
0 - f) or combination forms. A common form is the combination
with other functions like shopping centres and car parks, with sales
areas on the ground floor, cinema screens and parking on the first
floor: a prominent urban landmark in conjunction with two high-rise
point buildings --> 0- 0.

G) Cinemas
@Foyer
®Offices
@ Parking areas
CINEMAS
Projection
0 Kosmos cinema, Berlin, plan Arch.: Rohde Kellermann Wawrowsky Auditorium
Multiplex
cinemas
Drive-in cinemas

f) Kosmos cinema, Berlin, elevation/section Arch.: Rohde Kellermann Wawrowsky Neustadt Centrum Halle, first floor plan (cinema level i)
Arch.: Hermann & Valentiny with Noack und Partner

8 Filmpalast Dresden, plan Arch.: Coop Himmelb(J)au

Neustadt Centrum Halle, ground floor plan (shopping level)

Arch.: Hermann & Valentiny with Noack und Partner

Neustadt Centrum Halle, section

C) Filmpalast Dresden, view/section Arch.: Coop Himmelb(l)au Arch.: Hermann & Valentiny with Noack und Partner

225
 CINEMAS
t--out
Drive-in Cinemas

Drive-in cinemas, where the audience do not

have to leave their cars.
The size is limited by ramps, number of cars
~1 000-1300, while still ensuring a good
view. Normal is 450-500 cars ---> 0.

Cars No. ramps Screen to back edge of

ramp(m)

500 10 155
586 11 170
670 12 180
778 13 195
886 14 210

. . . 1000 15 225

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.. . .. .
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Location: on the motorway, near petrol
stations and services, with screening so that
t--out light and sound do not distract passing traffic.
CINEMAS Ramps are curved and sloping in order
Projection 0 Drive-in cinema in a fan shape with inclined ramps and low projection cabin, to lift the front of the cars, so back seat
Auditorium which only takes up two rows
Multiplex cinemas passengers also have a good view of the
Drive"in screen---> e.
cinemas
Entrance road: with waiting area, in order to
line of sight from rear seat to lower edge of screen avoid backing up of traffic on the road. Drive-

..
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I
pos= · · · · ·'· ·.·.·.· · · · 'l'... ~=-1~·············'·'·'~
past ticket counter, so that tickets from the
cars can be checked ---> 0.
Exit: ideally after leaving the ramp forwards.
and electrical heating 7.60 90+-- 3.00 ··
1--------11.50----------1
Detailing of the entire area to avoid dust and
f) Ramp arrangement and dimensions: elevations can be different according to screen picture height skidding in wet weather.
Ticket counter: one counter for 300 cars;
two for 600; three for 800; four for 1000.
Screen: depends on the number of cars: for
650 cars 14.50 x 11.30 m; for 950 cars 17.0
x 13.0 m. Ideally facing east or north, which
enables earlier performances. For the Central
European latitude, the screen is better
installed in a solid, permanent structure.
Cinema screen in the Billbrook drive-in
cinema near Hamburg: 36 m high x 15.5 m
wide. Height above ground level depends
on ramp gradient and sight angle. Screen
tilted upward avoids distortion. Scaffolding
and screen must be able to bear wind
loading.
Rows of seats should be provided, and a
play area for children is also a good idea.
Projection building: mostly central, at a
; distance of 100 m from the screen.
0

Projection room contains projectors,

generators, sound amplification system.
Sound reproduction ideally has loudspeakers
inside the cars; the loudspeakers are
attached to a post for every two cars at 5.0
m separation and are attached inside the cars
by the visitors.
entrance

f) Double cinema. One projection room for both screens, with the possibility of staggered starting times. All Heating: on loudspeaker posts, possibly
other areas (cash desks, bar, toilets etc.) are common also a connection for heating in the cars.

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