Studio Cinema: Redefining Cinematic Design in Macau

Studio City Phase 2 in Macau offers more than just a cinematic experience; it introduces a new design language where technology, materials, and spatial storytelling come together. Designed by OFT Interior under the creative direction of CM Jao and Ken Cheung, this ambitious project also includes contributions from Japanese lighting designer Koichi Tanaka and Lightlinks International. It masterfully merges form, function, and innovation. Each element of the spaceengages the senses, creating an environment that blurs the boundaries between architecture and performance.

A Dramatic Entrance: Setting the Stage

The journey begins in the entrance lobby, which resembles a visual symphony of textures and materials. The glass curtain wall features a white gradient film sticker that softens the exterior light while still allowing for visibility. Behind this, the lighting interacts with the gradient glass to create a theatrical ambiance. Stainless steel curves define the ticket counter and the metallic-painted feature counters, complemented by a ripple stainless steel wall and fluted wall tiles for added texture. Above, a metallic-painted curved ceiling integrates concealed lighting troughs, while the stone flooring provides a sense of permanence that anchors the space. Motion graphic LED screens introduce kinetic energy, instantly immersing visitors in the cinematic experience.

Architectural Lighting and Spatial Drama

The design creatively utilizes light and shadow to evoke a theatrical stage, fostering audience engagement. Milky acrylic panels with concealed lighting highlight important areas, while reflective surfaces amplify the interaction between light and materials. This combination creates a dynamic and vibrant environment, setting the stage for an immersive experience.

IMAX and Auditorium Features: Precision and Atmosphere

Inside the IMAX theater, the space is defined by blue fabric wall features and a black acoustic ceiling with LED lighting. Concealed LED lighting enhances the visual drama, while black wood vinyl stair walls and handrails provide a striking contrast. Grey-toned carpets soften the atmosphere, ensuring both acoustic excellence and comfort.

Each house in the cinema is designed for a unique experience:

- House 2 (Reclining):** Features purple and mud-yellow fabric walls combined with concealed LED lighting and a black acoustic ceiling. The warm, muted tones create a balance of luxury and coziness.

- 4DX House:** Showcases red and navy fabric walls that contrast with concealed LED lighting. The addition of black wood vinyl stair walls and grey-tone carpets maintains consistency in the overall aesthetic while ensuring functional comfort.

• Typical Houses:** Have grey and blue fabric walls paired with concealed LED lighting, creating a subdued yet sophisticated ambiance. The black acoustic ceiling and wood vinyl wall coverings emphasize the architectural precision.

The Director’s Club: Exclusive Luxury

The Director’s Club, which includes Houses 5 and 6, elevates the cinematic experience to a whole new level. House 5 showcases iridescent fabric curved walls with a water wave lighting effect, blending shades of blue and green fabric with highlights of orange and red. Concealed LED lighting enhances the curvature of the walls, creating a fluid, organic feel. In House 6, the green fabric curved walls continue the water wave motif, complemented by beige and grey fabric accents. Both houses feature recessed floor lighting and advanced acoustic treatments, ensuring an exclusive and intimate atmosphere.

Dynamic Corridors and Lounge Spaces

The corridors connecting the theaters are designed as transitional spaces that enhance the cinematic experience. Cove lighting follows the architectural curves, while reflective materials enhance the visual rhythm. The Director’s Club Lounge offers a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere, featuring high tables and integrated 55-inch TV lightboxes, providing an ideal space for socializing before or after a film.

The Cinematic Future

Studio City Cinema is more than just a venue for watching films; it is a space where every material, light, and texture contributes to its narrative. Each element, from the rippling stainless-steel walls to the iridescent fabric panels, invites exploration and engagement. By combining cutting-edge technology with innovative design, OFT Interior has created an environment that redefines cinematic architecture, providing audiences with an experience that goes far beyond the screen. Studio City Cinema is not merely a building; it is a performance in its own right—a landmark of design excellence in Macau.

For more information, please visit: https://www.oftinteriors.com

The Enchanted Symphony: Cosmo Chengdu's Cinematic Journey of Design and Imagination

Set in the vibrant Cosmo Mall in Chengdu, this extraordinary sanctuary redefines the cinema experience with its unique blend of design and entertainment. Crafted by Oft Interiors from Hong Kong, this hidden gem transcends ordinary movie-watching, beckoning visitors to a journey where imagination and interior architectural artistry intertwine.

Upon discovering this cinematic masterpiece, one is greeted not just by the bustling energy of the mall but also by an invitation to step into a world meticulously crafted to awaken the senses. The entrance, a discreet passageway, ushers guests onto an escalator ride that symbolizes a departure from the every day and an ascent into a realm of wonder. Each level traversed heightens anticipation, setting the stage for the extraordinary experiences that await.

The design of this cinema showcases the transformative power of thoughtful architecture. Opulent purples and shimmering gold dominate the palette, infusing the space with grandeur and elegance. These rich hues are complemented by textures that add depth and intrigue, creating a luxurious and inviting environment. The gently sloping ceiling, reminiscent of a curtain poised to rise, enhances the theatrical ambiance, foreshadowing the captivating performances about to unfold.

"This is not an ordinary theatre; it is an immersive journey that captivates both the heart and the mind. Every design element has been meticulously selected to immerse visitors into the cinematic experience. The combination of colours and textures creates a mysterious atmosphere, encouraging guests to immerse themselves in the visual spectacle. As they move through the carefully designed spaces, each step unveils new levels of creativity and sophistication, enhancing the overall sensory experience."

The real magic begins when the lights dim and the projector springs to life. Design and storytelling are closely connected, enhancing the other to create a harmonious combination of sight and sound. The interior architecture reflects the narratives unfolding on screen, with sweeping lines and dynamic forms that mirror the ebb and flow of the stories. This seamless integration ensures that the environment amplifies the emotional impact of each film, guiding viewers through a journey of emotions, surprises, and revelations.

Here, moviegoers are not just passive spectators. They are active participants in the unfolding drama. The cinema's design blurs the boundaries between fiction and reality, allowing imagination to soar. Vivid stories take over as reality fades, creating lasting memories long after the movie ends.

Within these hallowed walls, the role of the moviegoer is transformed. No longer merely a passive observer, each guest actively participates in the unfolding drama. The immersive design envelops them, blurring the lines between fiction and reality and allowing their imagination to take flight. Reality fades, replaced by vivid stories that resonate deeply, creating memories long after the credits roll.

This cinema is a sanctuary for cinephiles, where dreams are born, and memories are etched into the fabric of time. It is a testament to the enduring power of design, illustrating how interior architectural brilliance can elevate the simple act of watching a film into a grand theatrical production. Each visit offers an invitation to explore new worlds, embrace the unknown, and experience the extraordinary within a space where every detail has been thoughtfully designed to inspire and captivate.

As Chengdu’s cinematic haven continues to enchant and inspire, it leaves an indelible mark on all who venture into its enchanted realm. This masterpiece stands as a beacon of innovative design, forever reshaping how we perceive and experience the magic of cinema. It is a jubilant celebration of creativity, where the art of storytelling ascends to new heights, and the power of design transforms perception, ensuring that every visit is not just seen or heard—but deeply felt and remembered.

Project location：Chengdu

Client：Suntop Holdings

Designer：CM Jao, Ken Cheung, Samantha Chan

Photographer：Sean

For more information, please visit: https://oftinteriors.com

*This project is one of the shortlisted project in the Sky Design Awards 2024 - Interior Design -Leisure and Wellness Division

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Designer Profile

CM Jao and Ken Cheung were graduated from the department of design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) successively. They have accumulated a wealth of experience of interior design in their careers in internationally renowned architecture and interior design firms, and meanwhile possess international vision and pioneering thinking ability. Since its inception in 2013, Oft Interiors Ltd., has provided many solutions to the most complex design challenges in a rule-breaking manner.

CM and Ken are skilled in analyzing and demonstrating the spatial logic of different consumption scenes such as commerce, shopping and entertainment, so as to design and catalyze more possibilities of space. Through completing "spatial innovation experiments" again and again, they promote the development of "experiential consumption scene" and reshape the unique genes and trends of the brand.

Their works of high-impact, atmosphere and dramaticism have been recognized by authorities all over the world, and their project has won a series of international top design awards around the world as well.

Introduction of Oft interiors

"The boundary is not the cessation of something, but the birth of something new." Based in the creative capital of Hong Kong, known for its bold and creative design without defining any style，the Oft interiors' design focuses on the narrative expression of the space. They are committed to creating a unique surprise experience for consumers on a global scale.

As a pioneer of“experiential consumption scene”, the Oft has forward-looking insights and recommendations for the commercial consumption space, who is expertin integrating multiple dimensions such as consumer psychology, business trends and surprise experience. Through the sustainable operation of the brand, space andconsumers, the Oft is able to create a strong brand potential for you.