Edge (HK) Ltd. - Broadway Cineplex

Edge (HK) Ltd.
Broadway Cineplex
Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong
China

Photo courtesy EDGE
The thoroughfare between the two buildings.

The design brief for this new eight-screen multiplex cinema, located in the New Town of Tin Shui Wai, highlighted the need to create a sense of coherent unity. The eight theaters were divided into groups of two "twins" and located in two different buildings separated by a major thoroughfare that runs across a shopping complex. For operational purposes the ticket office, that serves all eight theaters was located on one side.

Photo courtesy EDGE
The glowing interior.

The major key to the design was to establish a visual connection between the two sides in order to direct moviegoers to the different theaters. The straight forward means of articulating the theater numbers on the main facades and on the different floors provided for a very effective means of orientation.

Photo courtesy EDGE
House number 6

Photo courtesy EDGE
House number 4

The conceptual idea, provided by an existing mirror plan, developed from the metaphor of "twins" and the idea that even "identical" twins are not exactly the same but rather variations or reflections of each other.

Photo courtesy EDGE
The flickering video screens.

Light and color became the main architectural elements used in creating individual, but related identities.
The two groups of theaters were conceived as glowing objects floating within the shell of the reflective, curtain-wall glass buildings. By day the glass is visually impenetrable, mirroring the opposite building and surrounding towers. As the sun goes down the facade gradually becomes more transparent, revealing the strongly lit elements inside, challenging and blurring the boundary between inside and outside.

Photo courtesy EDGE
The entrance.

Light is the principal guide that orchestrates the path from the outside to the theaters; the moviegoers are drawn in by the illuminated ticket booth and a wall of flickering video monitors. Visitors are then led up to the first floor cinema entries by a translucent light wall that follows the side of the escalator.

Photo courtesy EDGE
The escalator and light wall.

A glowing Bar, situated at the end of a double-height lobby hall, draws the waiting visitors to the curved window facade. The two identical bars visually reestablish the connection between the two sides of the Cineplex.

Photo courtesy EDGE
The Bar area.

The use of a localized lighting system, with emphasis on various colors of fluorescent lights and textures rather than materials and finishes, made it possible to stay within a very low budget for the relatively vast spaces.
The 2000 square meters Broadway Cineplex was completed in 1999.
Project Team: Gary Chang, Wong Chung Wai, Gunn Cheng.

Gary Chang set up EDGE with Michael Chan in 1994.
Chang was born in Hong Kong in 1962 and received his degree in architecture from the University of Hong Kong.
In 1998 he established Edge (HK) Ltd. where he acts as Principal Director.

July 1, 2001

EDGE arcspace features





				Features
		Edge (HK) Ltd. Broadway Cineplex Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong China Photo courtesy EDGE The thoroughfare between the two buildings. The design brief for this new eight-screen multiplex cinema, located in the New Town of Tin Shui Wai, highlighted the need to create a sense of coherent unity. The eight theaters were divided into groups of two "twins" and located in two different buildings separated by a major thoroughfare that runs across a shopping complex. For operational purposes the ticket office, that serves all eight theaters was located on one side. Photo courtesy EDGE The glowing interior. The major key to the design was to establish a visual connection between the two sides in order to direct moviegoers to the different theaters. The straight forward means of articulating the theater numbers on the main facades and on the different floors provided for a very effective means of orientation. Photo courtesy EDGE House number 6 Photo courtesy EDGE House number 4 The conceptual idea, provided by an existing mirror plan, developed from the metaphor of "twins" and the idea that even "identical" twins are not exactly the same but rather variations or reflections of each other. Photo courtesy EDGE The flickering video screens. Light and color became the main architectural elements used in creating individual, but related identities. The two groups of theaters were conceived as glowing objects floating within the shell of the reflective, curtain-wall glass buildings. By day the glass is visually impenetrable, mirroring the opposite building and surrounding towers. As the sun goes down the facade gradually becomes more transparent, revealing the strongly lit elements inside, challenging and blurring the boundary between inside and outside. Photo courtesy EDGE The entrance. Light is the principal guide that orchestrates the path from the outside to the theaters; the moviegoers are drawn in by the illuminated ticket booth and a wall of flickering video monitors. Visitors are then led up to the first floor cinema entries by a translucent light wall that follows the side of the escalator. Photo courtesy EDGE The escalator and light wall. A glowing Bar, situated at the end of a double-height lobby hall, draws the waiting visitors to the curved window facade. The two identical bars visually reestablish the connection between the two sides of the Cineplex. Photo courtesy EDGE The Bar area. The use of a localized lighting system, with emphasis on various colors of fluorescent lights and textures rather than materials and finishes, made it possible to stay within a very low budget for the relatively vast spaces. The 2000 square meters Broadway Cineplex was completed in 1999. Project Team: Gary Chang, Wong Chung Wai, Gunn Cheng. Gary Chang set up EDGE with Michael Chan in 1994. Chang was born in Hong Kong in 1962 and received his degree in architecture from the University of Hong Kong. In 1998 he established Edge (HK) Ltd. where he acts as Principal Director. July 1, 2001 EDGE arcspace features