Almost Perfect Home Cinema - Best Home Cinema Level 3 finalist, APAC, 2023

In the bustling city of Auckland, New Zealand, a local businessman with a deep passion for cinema set his sights on creating an “Almost Perfect Home Cinema”. Seeking the expertise of Liquid Automation, a renowned local integrator, the client embarked on a journey to transform a child's playroom area into a state-of-the-art home theatre that would rival commercial cinemas. 

To ensure the ultimate end-user experience, the focus was on incorporating high-end, reliable components with excellent product support. The client, well-versed in home theatre equipment, researched detailed specifications and manufacturer information for the selected components. Liquid Automation meticulously assembled a technology package to satisfy the client's cinephile enthusiasm.

The team installed various cinema control systems, including iPads and a hard-button remote from Crestron, allowing seamless control and potential integration with other areas of the home.

Creating an unforgettable cinematic ambiance required careful lighting control and room design. Liquid Automation added a custom modular star ceiling for a touch of luxury and strategically placed acoustic treatments to optimise sound quality and immerse the viewer in the experience.

The room's original layout presented challenges, with its annex location and double-height ceilings, adjoining an open-plan family, kitchen, dining, and lounge area. To address the issue of high reverb time, the team focused on minimising existing insulation and controlling light intrusion while maximising acoustic isolation.

To achieve these acoustic goals, the builder took significant steps, including blocking up windows with blockwork, replacing existing studs with concrete core steel structural panels, and adding insulated stud work with noise-proofing Green Glue and double gib boards.

The project faced an unexpected hurdle — the global pandemic — which disrupted the availability of building materials, necessitating revisions and adjustments in the design elements, such as stud timber and gib board thickness and absorption capabilities.

Despite these challenges, the collaborative efforts of the client, Liquid Automation, and the builder resulted in the successful creation of the ‘Almost Perfect Home Cinema’.