Case Studies: Cinemas and Auditoria

Cineworld Complex, Trocadero, Piccadilly, London

Cineworld operated a multiplex cinema in this iconic building in London’s West End, and appointed Spectrum to provide an Expert Report to evaluate the risk to the continued cinema operations , of plans to build a pod styled 580 room hotel immediately adjoining the cinemas, within the same building. Spectrum advised that disturbance during hotel construction would be severe. The hotel development is now modified to a more traditional construction and will be the largest budget hotel in the West End and will be operated by Accor. In the meantime, Cineworld will take the opportunity to redevelop the existing multiplex site and rebrand this as a new flagship 7-screen art-house cinema under their Picturehouse brand.

Luxury VIP Cinemas at Merchant Square, Paddington, London

Merchant Square is a major redevelopment of Paddington Basin and part of Spectrum’s work on the various buildings has been assisting with acoustic consultancy design advice on 2 boutique cinemas for residents. We have assisted with sound insulation design advice, sound quality analysis, minimising noise breakout and vibration control. The first of these very high quality spaces has been commissioned and is already in use.

Collins Theatre, Islington, London

Acoustic design advice associated with the shell construction of this new theatre in a mixed use building. Development of detailed proposals for the fit-out with architect, structural engineer and services consultant to suit the requirements of prospective future tenants. Our work has related to the isolation of the auditorium from the rest of the building (box in box), as well as to sound insulation of internal structures and room acoustic finishes.

Hackney Picturehouse 4-Screen Cinema, London

Picturehouse have converted this former live music venue to a 4 screen cinema, and we were acoustic consultants from concept through to completion. Our work included a close collaboration with the architects to ensure the high acoustic standards required by Picturehouse were met, taking into careful consideration the limitations provided by the existing building. We advised on sound insulation, acoustic finishes, building services noise and noise ingress (for this busy location opposite the Hackney Empire), for the auditoria and the common areas and bars.

Light Cinemas 8 Screens, Walsall Waterfront

Kier are developing an 8 screen complex for Light Cinemas at Walsall Waterfront including a World Class Extreme Screen, the first of its kind in the UK. Spectrum provided acoustic design advice as part of the pre-tender preparations, relating to noise ingress, internal sound insulation and planning (environmental noise from plant) to assist the design time in preparing a Shell Works Tender Package.

Ilkley Cinema, West Yorkshire

Nestling in the first and second floor of a former Victorian warehouse building, a new boutique cinema opened, comprising bar, lounge with summer opening doors to an external balcony, raked seating and high quality cinema sound. Spectrum have been instrumental in assisting the developers to realise this far-sighted refurbishment which brings a disused building back into use, while protection the adjoining business and nearby residents from excessive noise.

Sound Wave Propagation

Ray Tracing Model showing sound wave propagation (red (not reflected); dark green (1st reflection); light green (2nd reflection))

The Gate, Notting Hill, London

This is one of eight cinema sites around the UK, acoustically designed by Spectrum for the art house movie specialist City Screen. Trading under the brand name Picturehouse Cinemas, City Screen offer a unique cinema experience with high quality furnishings, sound, imaging and acoustics. Many of their theatres are certified THX® from Hollywood based Lucasfilm, including their Cambridge site.