ja-2009 -vol 76 competition

status: competition, SHINKENCHIKU” , Vol. 76 ( 2009 Winter edition ) of “THE JAPAN ARCHITECT,2009

special merit prize

The home theatre house intends to negotiate some of the issues so that cinema viewing can be both a public & private experience. The development of video disks, widescreen displays, projectors, advanced surround sound systems etc. has allowed private viewing of movies, cinemas and other audio visual contents with a more cinema hall like ambiance as the contents get more & more available everyday in  better formats .

It’s not only the desire to view movies privately within the house with the similar effects created in the cinema hall but also the desire to have a public participation to it, that has eventually inspired towards a design solution which at a time works both as a dwelling unit and as a projector that gives internal & exterior projections as required.

The front part which is a living cum theatre room can be adjusted by means of hydraulic pistons & actuators to adjust viewing area position etc. outside the house. When programmed properly it can also be used to give an added dimension of vibration and movement to make the cinema more experientially rich for the viewers of the house. The possible site for the project can be anywhere within the city to isolated areas provided there are no problems concerning high decibel sound.

The interior is mainly dedicated to the theatre room which also is the living room of the house. The house and the exteriors are fitted with adjustable retractable speakers [below the stair landing there is the sub woofer to render better LFE & bass] so that better sound effect can be achieved and also to protect the speakers from the elements. A full surround 5.1 channel system gives the hall like experience to both the outdoor & indoors at the same time.

When the front glass canopy is lowered the house can be isolated to experience movies privately only. When the glass canopy is opened, the inside & the outside turns into a seamless space for experiencing movies, clips, trailers etc. Thus a vibrant overlapping of personal & the private experience takes place .the amphitheatre remains spatially inviting towards further public interactions that would promote movie viewing & discussions for the time to come.