Elysium Cinema | Best Home Cinema, Winner

Imagine a room where the magic of the big screen envelops you, where the plush recliners and immersive ambiance of a top-tier theater merge seamlessly with the comforts of home. This vision came to life in the Elysium Cinema project, a masterpiece crafted by integrator MACBEE in India. The client's passion for movies, particularly the exhilarating sensation of sitting close to the screen, drove every aspect of this endeavor.

The client, a genuine movie enthusiast, wanted a snug home cinema that could accommodate 10-12 people, complete with luxurious recliners akin to those in the finest cinemas. These recliners, however, were not just about comfort; they were about bringing the viewer right into the heart of the action. The client’s dream was to have everything – from colors and materials to overall design – blend perfectly with the existing home decor. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the cinema room did not just feel like an add-on but an integral part of the home.

To achieve this, a virtual reality (VR) setup was employed, allowing the client to explore various configurations of the room tangibly. This innovative approach enabled the client to visualize different arrangements, make adjustments, and finalize the layout to his exact preferences. The end result was a space that felt like stepping into a traditional theater, with the added convenience and personal touch of a home setup.

The successful realization of this home cinema was a testament to the seamless blend of technical proficiency and design insight. MACBEE’s approach ensured that potential issues were addressed during the design phase, minimizing any impact on the final room layout. This method adhered strictly to industry standards, covering aspects such as room design, audio-visual reproduction, acoustics, and delivering an immersive viewing experience. It wasn’t just about meeting these standards; it was about exceeding the client's expectations and creating a space that offered an “escape from reality.”

Crestron was chosen as the backend solution for its intuitive interface and adaptable features, enabling effortless control at the press of a button. The integration included a customized graphical user interface (GUI) on the client's iPad, offering convenient access to functions like source selection, track changes, and volume control. The client used Apple TV for streaming digital content and relied on their Kaleidescape server for high-quality video content, merging variety and quality in streaming media.

The cinema room's ambience was meticulously designed with a blend of fiber optic lights and general lighting, programmed to establish the desired atmosphere for various scenarios. Upon entering the cinema room, a ‘Welcome’ scenario is activated, where warm white fiber optic lights illuminate at 100%, complemented by downlights set at 60%. Pressing the ‘Watch’ button dims all primary lights, leaving only the step lights on, enhancing the cinematic experience.

What set this project apart was the client's preference for sitting close to the screen, a feature not typically found in home cinemas. The primary requirement was to replicate the immersive experience of being part of the film, which was achieved by positioning the seating closer to the screen than usual. Unlike conventional designs, where screens occupy the narrower wall of a rectangular room, this project placed the screen on the wider wall, aligning with the client’s desire for an immersive viewing experience.

The culmination of this project, with the involvement of interior designer Proform Interior, resulted in a space where the technical meets the tactile, where design speaks to the senses, and where the client's passion for movies is celebrated in every detail.