Making a major comeback on the home design front is the not-so-humble theatre room. We asked Scott Rogan from Rogue Home Cinema for the low-down.
Have home theatres made a comeback?
We are so lucky in Western Australia to have the space to be able to incorporate a home theatre.
Plus, technology is so good now that we can recreate the art of cinema in the home, it’s no longer a fake low-resolution replica.
What sets a modern home theatre apart from the ones we saw in the noughties?
The “classic” theatre style of cinema has evolved to bolder, clean designs and we now deliver a sound and picture experience better today at home than what commercial cinema could do in the noughties.
What should people consider if they are thinking of including a home theatre in a new build or renovation?
To create the best experience, a dedicated room with hinged closing doors is best.
Be mindful that a sealed room like this requires its own heating and cooling system to maintain comfort and fresh air for the audience. All the cabling to service a room can be installed prior, retrofitted and even concealed within the interior of the room.
The main consideration for size is the number of primary seats – or the seats that are used often. So a family of four would need four primary seats – even though many times only two will be used.
Secondary seating comes via allowing space for occasional events such as kids sleepovers, sports or entertaining. A single row of primary seats designed well can keep these seats in the sweet spot while a secondary beanbag row up front and a rear bar stool row expands capacity to 12 or more people.
Is it possible to retrofit a theatre?
Most of our work is actually repurposing underutilised rooms which these days are a waste of space, such as formal dining or games rooms, bedrooms, large home offices, cellars.
What makes your home theatre so fabulous?
Our focus is on the experience, every element of the room, the moment you walk in the door. It needs to communicate a place of wonder, intrigue and freedom and transports a person before they press the play button.
Part of the fun of going out to the movies was the dazzling foyers and candy bars. We install that dazzle into every project, be it in a more subtle way and unique for the family.
What are the main must-have inclusions?
1. Screen
It was always about the big screen and it still is. Cinema is designed for real cinematic and ultra-wide screens. We rely on projection systems to get the size and scale of really feeling like the movies.
2. Sound
Great sound is a combination of electronics, speakers and room acoustics. The best speakers in an echo chamber will sound confusing and uncomfortable and too much sound absorption from things such as heavy curtains will take a clean bright clear sound into a dull lifeless presentation. There is a real art and science to a great sound in small rooms.
3. Seating
Comfortable seats with good posture support are key to an enjoyable experience.
4. Lighting
Appropriate lighting, starlights and fancy colours aside, we need to have the audience reach the seats safely and aim for gentle ambient light over the seats for enjoying
drinks and snacks, all the while without applying light to the projection screen which damages picture quality.
5. Automation
Automation is important. If the whole family cannot access it, that’s hours of value that will be wasted.
What are some of the really special things people might consider including in a dream theatre?
- Collectables and disc libraries, legacy game consoles, favourite movie art and whiskey bars are common.
- Gaming is massive too
- Starlights add that sense of infinity and spaciousness
- Motion seating by D-BOX. Real motion programmed for films that add a 4D experience can go to another level.
- Zoom connection online can connect families across the world in a more impactful way when it’s life-size and high resolution.
