V I E W
How to design a cinema auditorium: expert advice Rolv Gjestland has a wealth of experience on the subject of cinema design — with UNIC he has published a revised edition of his definitive work on the subject.
Screen seen from last row on a 2.39 : 1 screen 40
Distance screen to last row (m)
U N I C
2.4
4.8
7.2
9.6
Picture width (m)
12.0
14.3
16.7
19.1
21.5
5
6
7
8
9
23.9
26.3
28.7
10
11
12
Very small screen
35
Small screen Medium screen
30
Large screen 25
Very large screen Extremely large screen
20 15 10 5
1
2
3
4
Picture height (m)
Seating area in front of the projector may be limited if the light output is very high. Individually calculated for each auditorium
ACCEPTABLE SEATING AREA
his home country and has
opening, UNIC has been pleased to
written professional manuals
announce the release of a second
and
edition of Rolv Gjestland’s handbook on
design. He is a member of the
“How to design a cinema auditorium”,
UNIC Technology Group, where
giving practical guidelines for architects, cinema owners and
he has played a central role
others involved in planning and building cinemas.
since its inception in 2013.
cinema
45° 35°
First published in October last year, the previous edition
His eye for detail can be
was well received with many praising its objectivity and
seen throughout the book, as
practical value as an accompanying tool in the complex
he distils precise information on
process of planning and designing cinemas today. This latest
every aspect of the design process of screening rooms,
edition — in an upgraded digital format — takes into account
structured around key areas of work such as screens, seating,
helpful comments received from friends and colleagues in
acoustics and accessibility. Each topic is explored carefully,
the weeks following its original publication.
ensuring nothing is omitted from the design process.
5°
Screen width
Whatever level your expertise on cinema design, we
Rolv loves — and encourages people to continue —
guarantee you will enjoy every word in 150 pages of expert
developing exciting cinema auditoriums that enhance the
knowledge offer insights into endless considerations and
experience, and he urges people not to forget that the main
compromises necessary to deliver the best cinematic
reason most go to the cinema is to have a great experience
experience. With detailed graphs and illustrations, Rolv’s
and see/hear the film truly as intended by the filmmakers.
book encourages the urge to experiment with possible
If you have any feedback about the book, from missing
designs for your dream auditorium. Above all, the passion
topics to potential improvements, please do not hesitate to
and love for the Big Screen shines through on every line of
contact the author or UNIC. We would be delighted to take
this monumental work from a true cinema veteran, once an
these into account in the future, as we update this book to
aspiring projectionist, now an authority on all things that
ensure it serves its initial purpose: to contribute to the design
make cinema-going special.
of great cinema auditoriums, where audiences will be able to
Rolv Gjestland is currently advisor in cinema concepts,
D1>0.6 x W
10° D1>0.5 x W
about
DN<1.7 x W
articles
GOOD SEATING AREA
DN<1.5 x W
W
ITH MOST CINEMAS gradually re-
Rolv’s evaluation of screen sizes, shown for a 2.39:1 screen seen from the last row. He is keen on feedback on his views.
Installing seats in areas with unacceptable viewing risks harming the cinema-going experience. Choice of screen may place further limitations on the acceptable seating area.
enjoy unforgettable experiences, now and in years to come.
design, logistics and technology for Film&Kino, the Norwegian association of cinemas operators. Since 1984, he has been
The upgraded, digital edition of Rolv Gjestland’s book is
involved in almost every new-build or upgrade of cinemas in
available for free on the UNIC website unic-cinemas.org.
www.cinematech.today
049_SEP20_UNIC.indd 49
0 9 / 2 0
>
4 9
28/09/2020 18:54
