From scruffily designed, unimaginatively lit and poorly maintained structures, cinema theatres in India are now thoughtfully designed spaces with world-class infrastructure, technologically advanced lighting and superlative acoustics. Indian designers are entrusted with the responsibility of creating a well-packaged ambience which is meant to entertain customers with varied interests. And this relatively recent phenomenon of multiplexes with multiple screens has taken the Indian movie watching experience to another level.
Elements of significance
The location of a multiplex within a mall is crucial from the circulation point of view, as it is an anchor tenant which attracts a lot of footfalls. “The multiplex should always be placed on the second floor or above so that people walk through the retail area before they reach the multiplex, increasing the visibility of the shops, which, in turn, translates into sales,” says Ar. Sanjay Puri, Sanjay Puri Architects Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai. Also, a multiplex can’t afford high rentals which shops can afford, so they are at locations where the rentals are lower. Once the location is finalized and the shell is developed by the architect, the developer initiates the process of negotiation with multiple multiplex operators. The architect presents the diagrams of the shell to the operators and then the developer, taking various factors into consideration, zeroes in on one operator. Most of the brands operating in this segment have a chain of multiplexes and hence prefer to maintain a certain degree of brand identity across all their projects. Operators provide their inputs in terms of the length and width of individual theatres, the proportions, the seating arrangement and the style to the designer, who, based on these recommendations, makes certain modifications in design within the framework of the building.
Though the requirements of a shopping mall and a multiplex in terms of air conditioning and other services are similar, there should be separate air conditioning plans and services, since a multiplex runs beyond the regular timings of a shopping mall. Like the entry points, exits from the theatre have also to be planned in such a way that it enhances the sales during the day, and in the night, when the shops are closed, people should be guided out of the mall without making them walk through the shopping areas, keeping security and the possibility of theft in mind. Ar. Prashant Sutaria recommends an exit directly from the theatre as it would accelerate the process of evacuation in case of an emergency.
spaces exuding exuberance
In the process of design, apart from the concept architect; an interior designer, a theatre consultant, an acoustic consultant and a lighting consultant are involved. The lobby area and the interiors of a multiplex are meticulously planned and designed to satiate the demanding patrons from all age groups. Ar. Sanjay Puri says, “There is a principle behind a multiplex. A single screen theatre cannot afford a large lobby, but in a multiplex, the lobby gets shared, so it’s utilized all the time because of different show timings.” The lobby comprises a box office, concession counters and washrooms. The planning of projection rooms, exits, entries, toilets, sightline and the seating arrangement is scientific, while a designer’s creative involvement is required to design the lobby and the décor inside the auditorium. “What makes multiplex design different is we create it in such a way that the projection rooms run through a common area so that the expensive equipments can be shared,” says Ar. Mohit Gujral, Director, Design Plus, New Delhi. While some operators prefer a side entry, others provide a central entry. Ar. Prashant Sutaria, Prashant Sutaria Architect & Planner, Mumbai, however, feels side entry is the best possible option as the central area is a premium position in a movie theatre.
The cost of interiors of a multiplex project, which is completed in 3 to 4 months, is around INR 1,200 per square foot, including the seats, the ceiling, the flooring and acoustic panels. According to Ar. Prashant Sutaria, the per seat cost of a top end multiplex is about INR 50,000 to INR 60,000, while a medium range multiplex costs about INR 45,000 per seat, including construction.
Acoustics
Acoustics is one of the most principal elements in a multiplex as it prevents the transfer of sound from one theatre to another. Ar. Parimal Mehta, a Mumbai-based Theatre and Acoustic Consultant, says, “The issue of acoustics has to be taken care of at the architectural level. If you tackle sound transfer when the shell is ready, it is difficult and costlier.” Acoustic materials are porous and rough by nature. Some of the extensively used acoustic materials are glass wool and perforated boards, which are easily available in India. “Acoustic materials are covered with fabric in order to enhance the look of the interiors, but fabric also has some acoustical properties,” adds Ar. Parimal Mehta. With increasing awareness, multiplex operators now use high quality acoustical materials which are easily available in India. “Earlier, jolly boards were extensively used. Today, there are international companies like Ecoform which provide panels with fabric and with various colour options,” says Ar. Sanjay Puri. There are Indian manufacturers as well like Walltracts who cater to this segment. Arun R. Jasuja, General Manager, Walltracts (India) Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai, says, “Nowadays, acoustic fabric paneling is used on the side and back walls of most of the multiplexes. We provide UPVC grippers which we fix onto the side and the back walls on a wooden surface or on plywood. We stick the fabric on these grippers, which is different from the traditional method of nailing the fabric onto the wall.”
Illumination
Lighting in a multiplex, being a space meant to entertain its patrons, calls for a highly imaginative approach and it should evoke different moods. While public areas like lobbies, food counters and washrooms should be properly lit, lighting inside the theatre has an entirely different set of requirements. Praveen Thampi, Director, Illumania Designs: The Ministry of Light, Mumbai, says, “We try and create a fun ambience in the concession areas. Lighting is used to maintain a certain amount of exuberance in the theatre when you walk in. From the properly lit lobby, when you move into the auditorium, your eyes are getting exposed to a lower lighting level from a higher lighting level, so lighting should be such that your eyes get conditioned and adapted to these variations immediately. Then there is path orientation lighting when you walk in.” Indirect lighting is gradually replacing direct lighting, and the use of wall illuminants is already on the up. “There are modern lighting control technologies connected to the projector, which switch off the lights when the projector starts working and put them on during the intermission and after the movie,” explains Praveen Thampi. In some multiplexes, after each show, flood lights are used for cleaning purposes.
The process of execution of multiplex interiors is usually overseen by PMCs who act as a nodal point between the clients, consultants and contractors. Some of the PMCs servicing the multiplex segment are Feedback Ventures and IPMSL.
Evolving trends
Just like any other sphere of design, multiplex design is evolving everyday as well. Lobbies are becoming cozy exhibition spaces where parties are hosted and various brands launch their new products there. From concession stands selling only popcorn and coke, food courts and restaurants are now part of the multiplex design layout. With Indian multiplex operators hell-bent on attracting the maximum number of patrons and trying to instigate frequent visits; Indian architects are faced with an enjoyable challenge of creating multiple experiences in one product. For Indian architects, multiplex design is a new arena and they seem to be responding positively to it, utilizing their creative excellence and taking inspiration from similar projects overseas.
