Hilltop Oasis - Best Home Cinema, Level 1 winner, APAC 2024

Perched on an Australian mountainside, Hilltop Oasis exemplifies the seamless integration of advanced technology within a thoughtfully designed architectural space. This property, part of a private gated compound with sweeping views towards the beach and surrounding hinterland, recently underwent a comprehensive renovation that expanded its footprint and added new structures including a guest house, office/workshop, pool house, and a home cinema.

The cinema, positioned up-hill from the main residence, is a masterpiece of design and functionality. Access to this secluded retreat is ingeniously hidden behind a concealed door to the left of the cinema screen, which opens into a study that doubles as part of an effective sound isolation system. The project was spearheaded by cinema designer The Digital Picture, an integrator specialising in high-end home cinemas. They were tasked with marrying their sophisticated technologies with an existing Control4 automation system, ensuring a blend of old and new that functioned seamlessly under one roof.

The client insisted on simplicity, leading to the continuation of the familiar SR260 remote control, compatible with the upgraded Control4 automation network. The Digital Picture's collaborative efforts with the original Control4 integrator were crucial, allowing the upgraded system to integrate smoothly with the existing setup.

Aesthetic coherence was also key. The client desired a modern and uncluttered interior, which was achieved through close collaboration with their interior designer. Together, they selected wall stretch fabrics, bespoke carpeting, and a rear cabinet arrangement that not only aligned with the home's overall style but also met specific acoustic and technological needs. The sunken seating area was meticulously designed to optimise both acoustics and sight lines, reflecting the client’s high standards for both comfort and style.

Sound isolation was a major concern, especially given the region’s frequent heavy rainfall. Separate from the main house, the cinema needed to keep sounds from escaping, particularly towards the nearby guest house and living areas. Detailed specifications were provided to the builders to ensure the walls and airlock entrance met the required weighted sound reduction index (or, Rw) rating, creating a cocoon of silence within the cinema.

Internally, the room’s acoustics were finely tuned using a combination of absorption and 3D diffusion strategies. Absorber boards rated with a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.95, with strategic air gaps, and diffusion panels were deployed to manage echoes and reverberations, achieving a balanced acoustic environment with a reverberation time of approximately 300ms.

A key feature for the client was the bar at the rear of the cinema, complete with a mirror. Addressing this within the acoustic framework, the integrators designed the joinery to minimise vibration interference. The central timber cabinet was isolated from other units by a minimal air gap, effectively preventing vibrations from the subwoofers from disturbing sensitive equipment and glassware. Additionally, the subwoofers were mounted on acoustic absorber mats and connected to the joinery using rubber mounts to dampen vibrations.

Hilltop Oasis is a remarkable example of how technology and architecture can converge to create a living space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The successful collaboration between The Digital Picture, the interior designer, and other project partners has resulted in a space that not only fulfills the client's vision but enhances it.