Revolutionizing Cinema Design: Wuhan Wushang Mall Cinema 9F

Ajax Law and Virginia Lung's Award-Winning Design Inspired by Film Reels

The design of the cinema is a testament to the evolution of film. With the digitalization of movie screening, the designers chose to celebrate the bygone era of film reels. The theme of rotation, central to the operation of film reels, is captured and portrayed throughout the cinema. This is most evident in the enormous ceiling feature composed of huge round plates with a 2.8-meter diameter, arranged across the ceiling. The wood pattern and lighting effects create a sense of movement and suspension, resembling film reels frozen in the midst of rotation.

The auditorium further enhances the theme. The ceiling and walls are covered with small brown discs made from sound-absorbing panels, giving the illusion of film reels flying towards the audience. This innovative design not only pays tribute to the history of cinema but also enhances the movie-viewing experience by creating a visually stunning environment.

Realizing this design was not without challenges. The suspension of the large round plates on the ceiling required a special structure inside the plates to hide wires, creating the illusion of lightness. Local fire regulations also influenced the choice of materials, leading the designers to use aluminium panels painted with a wood pattern instead of real wood. Despite these hurdles, the designers managed to create a natural and appealing wood pattern through numerous mock-ups.

The Wuhan Wushang Mall Cinema 9F spans 2660 sq. m and was completed in August 2017 in Wuhan, China. The design has been recognized for its innovation and excellence, winning the Platinum A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2018. This prestigious award recognizes world-class, exceptional, and highly innovative designs that contribute to societal wellbeing and advance the boundaries of art, science, design, and technology.

Overall, the Wuhan Wushang Mall Cinema 9F is a testament to the power of design in transforming spaces and experiences. By drawing inspiration from the history of cinema and using innovative design techniques, Ajax Law and Virginia Lung have created a unique cinema that celebrates the past while looking to the future.