CIRCUS LOUNGE (CINESKY CINEMA) | One plus partnership

In 2018, we used the virtual CAD model as the concept to design the Cine Sky Cinema Phrase 1. After 3 years, we designed the second phase with yet another groundbreaking concept. We extracted the images of ‘blue sky’ and ‘white cloud’ from the Chinese characters of the cinema name. You can see elements of these 2 concepts throughout the entire space - each independent functional area is combined with various practical purposes to create designs with unique characteristics.

We present the concept of ‘white clouds floating in the sky’ abstractly in the form of arcs. The different arcs create a rich variety of changes to the space and the light way of illustration also reminds people of the weightlessness associated with clouds floating in the sky. In addition, we often call the release of a new movie in Chinese, literally translated as ‘opening curtain’ - the curtain here refers to the ones that are used on both sides of the stage. During the process of slowly pulling, the curtains can expand fully. At the lobby, the arcs of different spans and curvatures are arranged in a staggered manner. Not only do we express this concept in the ceiling, but also extend the arc from the ceiling and stretch to the ground. This arc design transforms on the ground to counters, box offices and coffee bars. The curved surface of the ceiling uses lighter aluminum alloy material to give people a weightless feeling. We use stone as the main material for the curved counter on the ground. This does not only make the structure safer, but also enables the transition from light visual perception to a stable functional focal point. In order to fully express the curved surface in the space, we also deliberately re-adjust the heating pipes and ventilation positions. We tried to use up the space built by the concrete structure, and make the ceiling height as close to the concrete slab as possible. We have maximised the interior space to let these curved decorations extend as much as possible in order for this rich and intriguing effect.

In the design process, the arc-shaped metal plate was cleverly extended into the hallway. The arc shapes on both sides of the hallway follow the curve of the walls and extend out from the ceiling. It seems that the audience can walk inside of the ‘floating clouds’. Unlike the previous designs, this time we accurately measured the size of the pipe in the hallway in advance. Traditionally people would enclose the pipes in the false ceiling, but we use the original pipe design as a part of arc-shaped art decoration that is suspended between the curved walls. We integrated the pipe as a part of the entire space design. Although it would increase the difficulty of execution, it can increase the original space as much as possible to enhance the permeability of the overall design.

In the IMAX auditorium, we used dots to create a whole wall and ceiling circular surface. The dots are made of blue acoustic panels, the concave and the convex parts are made into a complete circle shape. The shadow between the dots creates a sharper contrast and enhances the three-dimensional feeling of the wall. In the other auditoriums, we use simple arc-shaped lines to connect the wall and ceiling. Decorative blue lines are matched with the arc light strip to enhance the dynamic feeling of the space.

The most iconic designs of this project would be the VIP lounge and wine bar. In the VIP lounge, we use round metal sheets that are interspersed in a vertical and horizontal manner to form the overall space. They layered and stacked on top of each other to enhance the interior space. Blue and white colors are used throughout the areas as a unified concept. This circular plate design is also used to create self-service counters and the movable door in the VIP lounge area.

The wine bar area is designed to be more comfortable and leisurely, and we have designed a custom-made round wall lamp. The long rod of the lamp is connected with the wall. So it is not only used for lighting, but also as an installation art for the space. The carpet pattern has custom-made curved lines, circular arc lines are interspersed interestingly together.

For the washroom design, we tried to keep a very open mind this time. At the design stage for the female washroom, we use a simple design technique to represent the entire space, the white colour on various materials form an arc-shaped public area, which can be used for people to rest and groom. There’s no ‘door’ located at the entrance. We use arc-shaped white gradient glass to separate the washroom and the entrance hallway of the auditorium. The top of the glass is completely transparent whilst the sandblasted effect developed from the bottom gradually to the top. When guests walk from the hallway, it’s as if they are walking into this mysterious cloudy space with no traditional ‘door’ design to differentiate the space. The arc-shaped space and the slanted ceiling form a special visual effect, which is matched with a custom-made strip light on the wall to make the overall space clean and simple. We also designed the partition in the toilet cubicles to be curved, and in between the arc shapes, light strips are used to show the effect of light transmission, as if people are floating into the cloud with the wind. For the male washroom, the different arc-shaped walls are interspersed in the space and form a semi-open public area.

The difficulty of the design this time is to combine the arc surfaces with various functions. We not only retain the shape of the arc, the practical functions are also fully taken into account - which neither affects the final effect of the curved decorative surfaces, but also have a better use of the space functionality.