This Theater features a blend of technology and beautiful Design. Speakers and subwoofers are concealed. Bioglass back lit pillars flank the seating and screen. The room is a full anamorphic set up with very special time and attention paid to the acoustic and soundproofing qualities needed to deliver high caliber performance while not disturbing the remainder of the home. This is a room where reality ceases and movie magic begins.
The objectives in creating this theater were to produce not only a great performing space, but also to use design elements that contribute “wow” factor to the room from a cosmetic perspective. The room is to serve as an escape from the mundane to a place where reality is suspended.
Throughout the client meetings and showings of our previous work, it was determined that the client wanted a ceiling detail that was different from any we had designed or installed prior. With the LED night sky panels staggered and at different heights, the ceiling appears as a true night sky with offset layers and levels. The panels are back lit with dimmable LED strips that produce a halo effect on the flat black ceiling above; this gives the illusion of wispy nighttime cloud cover and makes for a dramatic movie watching experience.
Eight Light Pillars flank the seating area and the screen. We worked alongside a local Stone and Glass company to achieve the end result the clients were looking for. Three mockup samples were produced and back lit with Dimmable LEDs, The three pillar candidates were Onyx, Bio Glass and Rain Glass. Bio Glass was selected for its ability to refract light, and for its 100 percent recycled profile that conforms to Sustainable/Green building practices.
Dimmable LED Pin hole lights were installed above the back wood feature as well as along the base of the wall by the step up riser
Motorized Theatre Incliners by Front Row Seating were selected. The Theater features six individual seats for the back row and a Cuddle Couch with a seat on either side of it for the front row.
Although a Dedicated Theater Room, a main directive was that the technology performs like a theater, while being for the most part concealed. Bowers and Wilkins Speakers and Subwoofers completely disappear within the Proscenium Mill work. Acoustically transparent cloth was then stretched over the door panel frames for a completely hidden look. Surround side and Rear speakers are In Wall, built into the acoustic panels with acoustically transparent fabric stretched over them
Control of the Theater is married with the home’s Automation system. The clients have full control over all Audio/Video as well as lighting control, the motorized masking screen and the anamorphic projector lens.
A Digital Projections 3 chip DLP projector was selected for its ability to produce a rich, bright and true color palette. This was teamed with a Panamorph Anamorphic lens, a combination that does not disappoint even the most critical video eye.
A Stewart Filmscreen 120 inch Cinecurve motorized masking system was chosen to give the clients a true Movie house experience, no matter the movie’s format it can be watched in full resolution with no black bars, just as the film’s director intended it to be viewed.
Bowers and Wilkins Custom Theater line of speakers was chosen for their ability to faithfully reproduce all aspects of anything from a blockbuster movie to the subtle nuances of a concert soundtrack. Power for the room’s sound is by a Marantz Receiver/Amplifier, given the room’s size and acoustical treatments, this was the perfect compliment to the B&W speakers.
This Dedicated Room’s acoustics were something we invested much time and effort into. Because this build was in conjunction with the home’s construction, we were able to take the proper measures to ensure a predictable outcome.
At the stud phase we installed Kinetics Iso Max clips on all walls and ceilings, all header and footer plates were isolated from the concrete floor and adjacent points of contact. Furring channel was then installed in the Iso Max clips to suspend the drywall and decouple it from the studs. We wrapped all outlet and pot light penetrations with Kinetics acoustical outlet and pot light backer pads. The door frame itself was wrapped with vinyl barrier and the doors were sealed with and adjustable neoprene seal. The door seal involved routering the channels into the doors prior to them being hung.
All HVAC pipes that crossed through the theater are suspended on spring loaded hangers and supply and return pipes had Kinetics In joist Duct Silencers installed in them to prevent bass drone throughout the home’s HVAC system.
The wood constructed seating riser was filled with sand, not only to deaden it, but to ensure the integrity of the home’s Geo Thermal in Floor heating system. Now even the back row has warm feet as sand is a great conductor of heat.
Acoustic in room treatments consist of a full Stretch Track system, all walls are treated with a combination of diffusion and absorption panels. The finishing touch is the stretch track fabric system where all walls and the inward door faces are wrapped in fabric. The LED ceiling panels are also .85NRC acoustically rated to ensure no sound reflections from above.
This system is worthy of recognition because it shows what can happen when an Integrator works along side The Builder, multiple trades, Interior Designer, Mill Work Companies, Flooring Companies and decision makers to produce a first class in home movie room.
Blending a renewable and sustainable product like Bioglass with the traditional finishings of a theater room, as well as a stepped and staggered LED ceiling, makes for a very impressive end product.
The pre construction design and engineering (in terms of soundproofing) that went into this room is responsible for the fact that the clients can watch a movie while not disturbing the rest of the home.
The acoustical treatments and full fabric wrapped walls contribute to decor and are responsible for the stellar sound quality and auditory experience.
