WSDG lends its hand to Hong Kong’s Metroplex
Published: ASIA
HONG KONG: The Walters-Storyk Design Group has been enlisted by the Metroplex, a newly opened luxurious nine screen cinema complex in Hong Kong, to aid in the acoustic design of the complex’s large event hall and numerous movie theatres. The company submitted a comprehensive review of the architectural master plan layouts and prepared a detailed analysis of the acoustic package recommendations provided by a local consultant.
The Metroplex is located inside Hong Kong’s iconic Kowloon Bay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, adjacent to Star Hall, a 3,600-seat venue that regularly hosts major international concerts. The Metroplex is a self-operated independent theatre screening a wide variety of films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to festival entries, local, speciality and independent films.
The complex also has the capability to provide cross platform live streaming, concerts, shows and multi-media conferences, with the overriding concept of bridging the gap between film and music by creating crossover events and festivals that would benefit from the venue’s diverse facilities. A major part of this included the need to provide audiences with ‘the highest quality audio’.
Particular attention was given by WSDG to addressing issues of sound isolation and (RT60) internal room acoustics. The client’s primary concern was to ensure that there was complete isolation between the movie theatres and the main event hall located on the upper floor, specifically with regard to NC (Noise Criterion) and STC (Sound Transmission Class) parameters.
The Metroplex’s largest theatre (Theatre 1) accommodates an audience of 430. The five other public theatres (Theatres 2-6) seat groups of 151-, 138-, 136-, and 97-guests respectively. Additionally, three VIP Screening Suites (Theatres 7-9) have been created to host elite clusters of 20 guests each. Theatres 1 and 3, and all three of the VIP Suites, reportedly offer reclining lounge chairs, state-of-the-art lighting, exquisite interior designs and Dolby Atmos (for the larger theatres) and Dolby Surround 7.1 sound (for the VIP rooms). The four other theatres are outfitted with Dolby Surround 7.1.
‘These theatres are among the most sumptuous we have ever seen,’ concluded Sergio Molho, WSDG company principal and director of international relations. ‘The developers spared no expense in creating a new standard of luxury and comfort for their guests. No extravagance was overlooked. Their mission statement was clear, “we are here to pamper our audience and to provide the ultimate environment for ideal viewing and listening excellence”. We made a special point of doing everything possible to help them reach that goal.’