One Plus Partnership Limited transforms Haikou's GaoxingliInsun Cinema into a breathtaking architectural marvel, blending brick textures, dynamic curves, and vibrant hues to echo the ocean's essence - without a single shade of blue, reports SURFACES REPORTER (SR).
Haikou is an island in China, situated on the north coast of Hainan Island and surrounded by the South China Sea. The design of the Haikou GaoxingliInsun Cinema draws inspiration from the ocean that envelops the island but takes a unique approach by avoiding the traditional blue color. Instead, the designers chose brick as the primary material, symbolizing sand from the beaches, creating a timeless concept where bricks form beautiful and durable spaces that improve with time.
The cinema is a rare creation with windows that allow natural sunlight to flood the interiors, bringing a distinctive warmth. Bricks are skillfully arranged to resemble waves, layered in a way that they are visible from every angle, with no two pieces being the same length. The walls, painted in shades of topaz, showcase a rough texture that contrasts with the soft ambiance of the space. Furniture, including tables and chairs, mimics the tips of waves, with curved ends flaring out like bells. Moving through the lobby, visitors can observe the intricate details of wave-inspired countertops and booths, where every element swoops in different directions, creating a seamless aesthetic.
The lobby design captures its essence beautifully in both daylight and darkness. Wave-like patterns on the floor are painted gray at the edges, accompanied by echoing lights that serve both aesthetic and practical purposes, ensuring safety for visitors. The walls and ceilings feature pipes and velvety fabric blocks that add depth and tactile richness. Vibrant pastels contribute to an atmosphere where one can almost "smell happiness." Rings of light float around pillars like the Iron Ring of Prometheus, enhancing the cinematic mood.
The first auditorium features walls with blinding colors and textures that flow like a paintbrush in motion. Dimensional fabric, cut to mimic wood grain, connects the interior design to the lobby's vibrant palette. Chairs, arranged in a floral-inspired pattern, exude warmth, paired with a faint scent of lavender and peonies. In the second auditorium, tiger lily-inspired panels and rough brick textures define the edges, illuminated by lights that create vertical margin-like effects. From specific angles, the curved silhouettes reflect the shape of the South China Sea, metaphorically wrapping the island in a warm embrace.
Project Details
- Project Name: Haikou GaoxingliInsun Cinema
- Location: Haikou, China (Mainland)
- Design Firm: One Plus Partnership Limited
- Lead Designers: Ajax Law and Virginia Lung
- Design Firm Location: Quarry Bay, Hong Kong (Greater China)
- Photography: Jonathan Leijonhufvud
About One Plus Partnership Limited
Ajax Law and Virginia Lung founded One Plus Partnership Limited, a Hong Kong-based interior design firm, in 2004. The firm specializes in designing diverse interior spaces, including cinemas, restaurants, retail stores, clubs, sales centers, and commercial offices.