Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha by Mitsuhiro Shinohara

Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha by Mitsuhiro Shinohara is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Abaalmarinta Naxaasta ah ee A' Design Award in Naqshadeynta Qolalka Gudaha iyo Bandhigyada Competition Category.

NaxaasGudaha· 2025

Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha

by Mitsuhiro Shinohara

Client: Lawson United Cinemas, inc

Abaalmarinta Naxaasta ah ee A' Design Award Winner in Gudaha Category

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The Design

About Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha

Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai waa xaruun sinimo oo lagu dhisay dhismo ganacsi oo hore u jirtay magaalada Yokohama. Goobtu waxay leedahay 12 shaashad, 1050 kursi iyo dhul dhererkiisu yahay 4779 mitir oo laba-jibbaaran. Nidaamka Flexound Augmented Audio ayaa lagu rakibay kursi kasta, taasoo dhawaaqa uga gaarayo daawadaha kasta oo ka soo baxa meesha madaxa lagu tiiriyo. Xaddidaadda dhulka bannaan ee la haysto ayaa ka dhigtay in aan macquul ahayn in la sameeyo qolal shubis (projection rooms) oo gaar ah, sidaas darteed shubayaasha (projectors) waxaa la dhigay meel ka sarreysa marinnada booqdayaasha. Marinnada waxaa lagu calaamadeeyay iftiin goobooyin ah, tiirar midab kala duwan leh iyo darbiyo qaab-tijaabo leh. Meel bilaash ah oo lagu tijaabinayo nidaamka codka oo ku dhow salliga hore ayaa u ogolaanaysa booqdayaasha inay isku dayaan nidaamka dhawaaqa.

The Recognition

About the Abaalmarinta Naxaasta ah ee A' Design Award

Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha waa guuleystaha Abaalmarinta Naxaasta ah ee A' Design Award, aqoonsi sharaf sare leh oo la siiyo naqshado aan caadi ahayn oo lagu garto hal-abuur, hal-abuur cusub iyo caqli. Guuleystayaasha Naxaasta waa shaqooyin xirfad buuxda leh iyo hal-abuur yaab leh oo xaqiijiya khibrad weyn, male-awaal iyo kartida naqshadeeyayaashooda. Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha waa walax la filayo inay noqoto mid aad loo tixgeliyo, la ixtiraamo oo la jecel yahay, xirfad cad leh oo hal-abuur cusub leh. Naqshadahan ku guuleystay Abaalmarinta Naxaasta ah ee A' Design Award wuxuu ku darsadaa hab-dhaqanno ugu wanaagsan farshaxanka, sayniska, naqshadaynta iyo tignoolajiyada wuxuuna ku fiican yahay dhawrista tafaasiisha. Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Xarunta Sinimaha si fiican ayay u buuxisaa baahiyaha, taabataa rabitaannada, soo jiidataa dareenka kicinayaanna xiisaha aqoonta.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The most distinctive feature of this cinema is the installation of the Flexound Augmented Audio system in all seats. This is a world first and one of the factors that make this cinema unique. Furthermore, this cinema is unique in that it is not being installed in a new building, but in an existing facility. Due to floor-area ratio restrictions, it is not possible to build projection rooms in every theatre, so many projectors are exposed above the customer corridors.
Dimensions & Packaging: 12 screens, 1050 seats in total capacity, 4779sqm, Flexound Augmented Audio in all seats, Flexound technology from Finland, Construction by Taisei Corporation
Tags: Cinema, Cinema Complex, Movie Theatre, Flexound, Flexound Augmented Audio, Laser Projectors, Booth-less Cinema
Production Technology: The design was carried out under highly restrictive conditions due to the fact that it was an existing facility, including the reuse of an oval-shaped theatre, the largest theatre where the old tenant, a museum facility for experiencing the great nature of the earth, used to screen editorial works of the British "BBC EARTH".
The cinema was realised thanks to the high storey height, but the high ceilings in the corridors of the auditorium also gave it an archaeological feel, so the lighting in the corridors was darkened as much as possible to highlight the impressive spherical lighting. Vertically extending, brightly coloured design columns and striking wall finishes with patterns create a sense of the extraordinary.
The Flexound experience space in the lobby uses the same colour scheme as the guest corridor to maintain a sense of unity, while the areas with plenty of outside light are furnished with furniture and sofas that allow many people to relax, giving each space its own distinct character.
Design Challenge: Floor space cannot be increased due to floor-area ratio restrictions, so the projectors were installed above the customer corridors, as if they were on display. The Flexound system requires wiring from dedicated amplifiers in the sound racks of each theatre to each chair, so wiring routes had to be secured in advance in the floating floor and wiring work had to be carried out in advance. The wiring had to be done in advance by securing the wiring route in the floating floor. The length of the speaker cables was nearly 10 km for the nearly 1000 seats in all 12 theatres.
With regard to the chairs, the project started with the development of this system to be installed in the chairs of a Japanese manufacturer. Furthermore, it was a very challenging project for each company, including the design of the base for the system's on/off switch to be installed in each chair.
Research: The plan was to open a cinema complex in the Yokohama Minatomirai area, where there are already three cinema complexes with IMAX and 4DX. With restrictions on floor space and load-bearing capacity when moving into an existing commercial building, it was thought that Flexound, which has few architectural requirements and is unique in the world, would be a sufficient countermeasure. The commercial building was also very positive about attracting a cinema on the occasion of its 10-year anniversary.
Inspiration: Mark Is Minatomirai, which houses the cinema, is a commercial building directly connected to Minatomirai Station and has a wide range of customers. The aim was therefore to create a cinema that is accessible to people of all ages. In addition, a free demo space has been set up right outside the lobby entrance to allow a wide range of people to experience the FLEXOUND.
Project Duration: The project started in November 2022 and the cinema opens in April 2024 in Yokohama.
Operation Flow: Most audiences will notice the vibrations that occur in conjunction with the bass when they sit in the chairs, but the Flexound is characterised by the cinema sound that comes from the head of the chair without any discomfort at all. It sounds so natural that you may not notice it unless you know about it beforehand. However, the difference is obvious when compared to a normal chair, and you will be surprised at how clearly even the smallest whispered sounds can be heard in your ears. Surround sound is also perfectly rendered, so no matter where you are in the theatre, you will be satisfied that you are in your own special and perfect acoustic environment.
Team Members: Interior Designer: Kei Sagara
Architect: Hironobu Imamura
Mechanical and Electric: Nao Uda
Lighting Chief Designer: Shinji Yamaguchi
Lighting Designer: Yayoi Aota
Director: Kunihisa Akiyama
Project Manager: Mitsuhiro Shinohara
Image Credits: All Images: Toshiyuki Yano