What will the cinema of the future look like? This was the question posed by the organizers of the Cinema Futurismo competition. Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska and Marta Lichaczewska created ECO CUBE in response. Their design for a universal, self-sustaining object in the form of a cube won the audience award.
The goal of the Cinema Futurismo competition organized by UNI Competitions was to design a cinema of the future that could seat about seventy-five people. The design had to take into account all the contemporary trends emerging in cinemas and at the same time look to the future. It was to be a premise that represents the future of cinema, is cost-effective, public, expressive and accessible.
A cinema can be placed in a park, for example
© Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska, Marta Lichaczewska
Eco Cube - a universal cinema cube
Eco Cube is a vision of the cinema of the future by students of Cracow University of Technology: Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska and Marta Lichaczewska. Their main idea was to create a cubic form equipped with a range of modern technologies, with the result that the building stops consuming energy and starts creating it.
Cinematic technologies are developing rapidly, so we designed the building so that its interior can be adjusted as needed. The shape of the building is also designed to make this possible. Our concept of a futuristic cinema is based on creating a form that can easily fit into any part of the urban fabric, making it more accessible to audiences, the authors say.
ECO CUBE is a cube divided into three parts
© Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska, Marta Lichaczewska
The idea of the project by the Krakow students was to address the topic of ecology and sustainable development - an extremely important aspect in today's, as well as the future, world. Therefore, their object, thanks to the use of new technologies, not only provides entertainment, but also generates renewable energy itself, which can be used both in the facility and provide electricity to the immediate environment.
The designed facility is versatile, it can be placed, for example, on the roof of an existing building, thereby saving already limited space in cities. Thanks to its simplicity and neutrality, the solid will blend into the park space or fit into the urban fabric.
self-sufficient cube
The body of the proposed cinema is a cube with a side length of 17 meters. The block has been divided into three parts, separating the individual halls. The use of glazing fills the gap between the irregular split. In this way, all parts of the building are connected, creating an entrance area that is a common space. The building consists of three halls for fifty, twenty and five spectators. The first is a traditional hall, designed for those who prefer the classic version of cinema. The second, smaller one is equipped with the latest technology, and the third is a screen room where everyone can choose a movie individually, thanks to Virtual Reality technology. In addition, there are ticket offices, a bar, toilets, administration, an extensive technical area and a social area for employees.
The cinema has three halls and, among other things, a bar and ticket offices
© Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska, Marta Lichaczewska
ECO CUBE is a self-sufficient building. On the roof of the building is a structure made of photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The glazing is made of transparent photovoltaic panels on a steel-mesh structure. This gives the foyer access to sunlight and supplies the cinema with the necessary energy. This is currently a prototype technology, but the architects hope that in the future this type of solution will develop significantly and be widely available.
The authors used modern and renewable technology
© Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska, Marta Lichaczewska
building facade as a screen
The exterior walls are a proprietary solution. A combination of transparent insulation consisting of polycarbonate tubes with fiber optics inside. Thanks to this solution, the facades of the building become a huge screen on which film trailers, posters or screenings can be displayed during summer time. A charging station for electric vehicles can also be placed at the façade.
The facade of the building is a screen on which film trailers, posters and movies are displayed
© Katarzyna Cichy, Kamila Czesnowska, Marta Lichaczewska
Overcrowding and cramped spaces are a growing problem today and may be the main factors determining the construction of any buildings in the future. By combining such solutions with green technologies and generating energy instead of wasting it, it is possible to create an ideal building for the future city, the authors conclude.
Also read about the cinema island on the Venetian Lagoon by Simon Ciupinski.
