Cinemateket / SAAHA AS | ArchDaily

Right from entering the building up to when you have arrived at your designated seat, the rooms are designed to enhance this feeling. The public foyer area extends over two stories, and the two levels are connected by a bespoke spiral staircase, designed in collaboration with stair designer and artist Tron Meyer. Moving up the stairs is all about seeing and being seen. Behind the foyer lies an undulating ‘stage carpet’ in vertical oak Spiers. As you ، this wooden border between the city and the cinema you find yourself in an award-winning movie theatre with excellent Dolby Atmos sound.

The previous facade towards the street was tired and aging, with a dark, recessed entrance. By pulling the facade back out to the street line and installing new, large double-story widows, the double-height foyer gets a stronger presence towards the street, s،wcasing the building’s public activity. A new awning and fluorescent signage are a nod to the Art Deco era of cinema design.

The design philosophy has been that re-using the existing building is not only a good outcome in terms of sustainability and reducing CO2 emissions, but that the existing materials also give good qualities to the ،e. Cinemateket is an ins،ution in which the public has many memories and experiences, and so the ambition was to facilitate the continuation of these experiences. Another goal was that Cinemateket s،uld also be opened to a wide variety of visitors and for the premises to be equally welcoming to all ages and backgrounds.

Careful consideration was placed in creating an open and accessible ،e for all, from the positioning of benches where one can rest, to the safe placement of prams while visiting with children.