UCI Cinemas is one of the world's largest cinema exhibition groups, and in Italy is the leading operator in the sector of multiplex and megaplex cinemas.
Its success derives not only from the quality of the films exhibited, but also from the high standards characterising UCI facilities. No matter their size, all UCI cinemas combine modern and functional architecture and design with superb comfort and customer care. The UCI Cinemas Certosa recently inaugurated in Viale Stephenson - Milan, fully meets these standards.
THE PROJECT - THE ARCHITECTURE
The multiplex cinema is part of an entertainment centre located in an extremely visible site, just before the motorway from the lakes to Milan connects into the town's road system. The entertainment centre offers bars, restaurants and arcades that are run by various operators. This is why UCI Cinemas felt the necessity to markedly differentiate its spaces architecturally, and constantly recall brand image. Architect Feldtkeller from Studio DW9 accepted the manifold task of conferring a strong personality to the cinema premises (box-office desks, bars, and foyer) as a whole through a sort of common thread while clearly identifying the single areas for their specific purposes. Customer appeal and consistency with the typical UCI Cinemas mood were also basic requirements.
THE PROJECT - THE LIGHT
Obviously, light played a key role to tackle these problems. The planner's idea included semi-transparent luminous meshes consisting of myriads of lighting elements to be surface and wall mounted to 'colonise' the areas pertaining to the cinema operator without interventions on the walls.
To this end, we studied a framework to fasten the luminaires that forms layers over existing structures since it is specially made to remain visible. This clearly indicates that the cinema is there, even though continuity with the other environments is not broken. The cinema unmistakably belongs to a larger place for socializing and communication.
The luminaires with fluorescent light are the tesseras of the luminous mosaic that is created. They can be customised with colour filters to change emitted light or using stencilled films to display information or advertising messages, as required from time to time.
They derive from old-time shop billboards and do not conceal their technical character. The lamps that you can barely see through the opal screens, also are graphic elements in the composition of the scenery desired.
Vision (this is name of the product specially developed by Norlight staff) successfully accomplishes operational, communicative and emotional functions.
THE LIGHT ENGINEERING SOLUTION
To obtain the results required, we started from luminaires with a classic square shape and went on decreasing overall dimensions, weight, thickness, and visible metal parts. Efforts were also aimed at making customisation easier.
The clear polycarbonate multilayer diffuser with double screen can accommodate a translucent dulled filter to diffuse white light, colour and/or stencilled filters.
Therefore, an apparently simple element turns into a versatile one, with a number of retention options. Special items allow direct wall or surface mounting, suspension or installation to frameworks by means of hooks, as in the UCI cinema.
All versions (2x, 3x, 4x with 14 or 24W T5 fluorescent light sources) can be supplied with dimming option. |
