STARZ CINEMA

The designers embody the concept of ‘stars’ throughout the perimeter, which coincidentally matches the name of the shopping mall where the cinema is situated at – the Wuhan FX ‘Star’ City.

The first challenge that the designers faced was the traditional connotation people have towards the concept of stars. The images of stars have been used so many times throughout history across different cultures. Everyone’s association with the shape of a star shape comes down to similar configurations – directly proportional lines and same angle attributes. The designers elevate the depiction onto a higher level. They break this long lived convention, epitomizing the concept of stars within every corner of the cinema. One needs ample amount of imagination to link the dots together.

Upon arrival of the main lobby, scattered pieces of star patterns disguise among the background. The uncustomary forms of star patterns further trigger people’s imagination. The stones and tiles contour the impression of a ‘star’, without actualizing the definite form of it. By breaking up and rebuilding, the framework of the ‘star’ reformulates in the audience’s head.

Wedges of wall visualize the 3D construction of a star. Unlike evenly distributed squares, stars comprise of uneven lines and angles. Imagine turning a star into pod vessels, then shrink or elongate each angle. Through 3D actualization, the wall bestows a various ‘star’ feeling. As stars illuminate and sparkle in the dark, the designers simulate the texture with silver colored metals whereas the background remains dark. This enormous contrast further attributes to the brightness of the stars. There are 8 different modules of 3D planes, which comprise of diverse shapes, lengths and angles. After digitalization, it’s more manageable to construct. But the designers still have to consider about the surrounding equipments like the monitors which show the seat plan. They need a lot of attempts and coordination in order to meet the final outcome. Randomly displayed planes surrounding the box office are actually conscientious artwork carried out by the deliberately planned designers.

Film information is being attached to the wall. In the same area, the box office and the concession exist side by side. They hid among the cloud of stars without arousing any suspicions. Various materials within the same color tone construct the floor.

The auditorium prolongs the shape of a star. The walls are made up of layers and layers of 3D panels, which reflect the pattern of a star by light and shades. Again, the designers show their inventiveness by hiding the star message, without actually showing the normal star pattern. Lines intersecting with each other, configuring shapes with various angles on the carpet, which matches with the star patterns on the seats. Various embodiments carry the hidden star message throughout the perimeter. The designers came up with two other designs which hook tightly to the ‘star’ theme. The first one depicts five straight lines intersecting each other at an intersection point, also portrays a different form of how ‘stars’ could be conveyed in various shapes and patterns. Whereas the other one filled with 3D elongated star pillar forms being dissected into different pieces. These ‘dissected’ pieces are attached to the surrounding of the auditorium, with various angles pointing towards different directions.