TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES Ayala Blvd., Ermita, Manila, 1000, Philippines Tel. No. +632-301-3001 І Fax No. +632-521-4063 Email: tup@tup.edu.ph І Website: www.tup.edu.ph RESEARCH PAPER ON HOME CINEMA In Partial Fulfillment to the Requirements for the Couse of BUILDING UTILITIES 3: ACOUSTIC AND LIGHTING SYSTEMS CLARISSE N. CALADIAO TUPM-20-10585 BSA – 3C AR. SHEN KENE M. CUARTE, uap, psmpe Instructor S.Y. 2022 – 2023 I. INTRODUCTION For more than a century, movies and the cinema have played a significant role in shaping our culture. Cinema is a type of art that reaches a wide audience by using moving pictures to tell tales and present concepts. It has the capacity to affect our perceptions, mold our comprehension of the environment, and motivate us to consider novel options. David Bordwell, a film scholar, states that "cinema is a medium of representation, a means of communication that enables the exchange of ideas and emotions between people" (Bordwell, 2020, p. 1). The history of cinema can be traced back to the late 19th century, with the development of early motion picture cameras and projectors. Since then, cinema has changed and developed as a result of new technological advancements and societal changes. The film industry is now a global business, with movies being made, released, and screened anywhere in the world. The potential of cinema to establish common experiences and influence our collective imagination is indicative of its cultural relevance. Cinema has the ability to connect individuals with one another and with the rest of the world, whether it be through blockbuster franchises or independent arthouse movies. In the words of the designer Rem Koolhaas, "cinema is a public space in which people can come together, share experiences, and engage with ideas and perspectives beyond their own" (Koolhaas, 2021, p. 5). Cinema remains an alive and dynamic art form that reflects and affects our society's ideas, beliefs, and values despite the difficulties facing the film industry. It can push us to think critically about pressing problems, give us perspective on various cultures and lifestyles, and give marginalized voices a chance to be heard. Furthermore, microcinema and home cinema are two alternative forms of film exhibition that have emerged in recent years, offering new ways for audiences to engage with cinema. Microcinemas seek to create an alternative, independent film culture that is community-oriented and participatory, often taking place in non-traditional venues and incorporating live music, performance, or discussion into screenings. Home cinema, on the other hand, offers a more personalized and intimate viewing experience, allowing audiences to watch films in the comfort of their own homes, often using digital technologies such as streaming services. In response to this trend, as architectural students, it is essential to recognize the importance of integrating home cinema design into residential architecture. The design of a home cinema requires careful consideration of factors such as room acoustics, lighting, seating arrangement, and equipment placement. Architects need to collaborate to ensure that the home cinema is seamlessly integrated into the overall design of the residence, providing a comfortable and immersive cinematic experience for the homeowner. II. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Over the years, the entertainment business has seen substantial change, particularly in the field of film. Home cinema is one of the modern innovations in the industry, and it has completely changed how consumers consume media since the arrival of technology. A private viewing area with specialized audio and visual technology that mimics the experience of seeing a movie in a commercial theater is referred to as a "home cinema." Over the past few years, there has been an increase in demand for home theater systems as more homeowners buy outstanding gear to watch their favorite movies in the comfort of their own homes. In the Philippines, the home cinema trend has gained traction, with more people opting to create dedicated spaces for home entertainment. With the rise of affordable equipment, such as projectors and speakers, it has become easier for homeowners to create their own home cinema. However, the design and construction of such spaces can be challenging, especially for architects and designers who may not be well-versed in the technical aspects of home cinema systems. Hence, this study aims to explore the design challenges and considerations in renovating a residential space into a modern Home Cinema Room, with a specific focus on the case of Mr. and Mrs. Monreal's property in Metro Manila. The study will cover various aspects of design such as space planning, lighting, acoustics, materials selection, and compliance with existing building laws. The clients have expressed their desire for a micro-cinema-like experience that can accommodate at least 10 people without compromising the safety and accessibility of the space. The study will investigate different design strategies that can mimic the ambiance and features of modern cinemas while maintaining a comfortable and cozy atmosphere suitable for a residential setting. By examining the Monreal case, this study can serve as a reference for architects and designers seeking to transform residential spaces into personalized entertainment areas. III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE In this chapter, the researchers will synthesize all the topical review of related literatures in order to fully understand the study about the Home Cinema. Definition of Home Cinema Home cinema has been defined in various ways by scholars and industry experts. Robert Harley (2004) defines home cinema as a private theater experience that aims to replicate the cinematic experience as closely as possible. The European Audiovisual Observatory (2020) defines home cinema as the use of audio and video equipment to enhance the home viewing experience, while the Consumer Technology Association (2021) describes it as a set of audio and video components designed to bring the movie theater experience into the home. Brine and Wearden (2007) further emphasize the importance of a dedicated space with high-quality audio and video equipment to create an immersive cinematic experience. In their study, they defined home cinema as "a dedicated room or space with a large screen, high-quality audio, and video equipment designed to deliver an immersive cinematic experience" (Brine & Wearden, 2007, p. 9). Home cinema, also known as a home theater, refers to a setup in a private residence designed to replicate the experience of watching a movie in a commercial cinema (Katzmaier, 2021). A home cinema typically consists of a large screen, highquality audio system, and comfortable seating arranged in a dedicated room or space in the home. The goal of home cinema is to create an immersive and high-quality viewing experience that rivals the commercial theaters. Moreover, according to Kim (2020), home cinema provides a more personalized and convenient viewing experience, allowing viewers to watch movies and TV shows on their own schedule, in the comfort of their own home. Home Cinemas in Philippines Home cinemas have become increasingly popular in the Philippines in recent years, as more people seek to create a personalized and immersive viewing experience in the comfort of their own homes. According to a report by Euromonitor International, the demand for home cinema systems in the Philippines is driven by the growing middle class and their increasing purchasing power (Euromonitor International, 2020). In a study conducted by Cruz and Bala (2019), they found that Filipino consumers prefer home cinemas for their convenience, affordability, and flexibility in terms of choosing the content they want to watch. Home cinemas also offer a more intimate and personalized viewing experience compared to traditional cinemas, which can be crowded and noisy. According to a study by the Consumer Technology Association, the demand for home theater equipment has been on the rise in recent years, with sales of projectors, soundbars, and streaming media players increasing steadily (Consumer Technology Association, 2021). This trend can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing availability of high-quality home theater equipment at affordable prices, the growing popularity of streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, and the desire for a more immersive entertainment experience at home. However, the rise of home cinemas in the Philippines has also raised concerns about the impact on traditional cinemas and the film industry as a whole. As noted by film scholar Nick Deocampo, the popularity of home cinemas may contribute to the decline of cinema attendance and revenues, which could have significant consequences for the production and distribution of Filipino films (Deocampo, 2017). Despite these challenges, home cinemas continue to be a popular choice for Filipino consumers, and the industry is expected to continue growing in the coming years. As noted by Euromonitor International, the demand for home cinema systems in the Philippines is projected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 8% from 2020 to 2025 (Euromonitor International, 2020). Advantages of Home Cinema The concept of home cinema, or home theater, has gained significant popularity in recent years due to the numerous advantages it offers to consumers. Home cinema setups provide a range of benefits, including enhanced audiovisual quality, convenience, customization, and cost-effectiveness. One of the advantages of home cinema is the ability to create a high-quality audiovisual experience in the comfort of one's own home. With advancements in technology, home cinema systems can now replicate the immersive audio and visual quality of commercial cinemas, with high-resolution screens, surround sound systems, and advanced audio processing (Gazepidis, 2019). This allows viewers to enjoy a cinematic experience with superior picture and sound quality, making movies, TV shows, and gaming more enjoyable and immersive. Home cinema setups also offer the advantage of convenience. Viewers can enjoy their favorite movies or shows at any time without having to leave their home, saving time and effort compared to going to a commercial cinema. Additionally, home cinema setups can be customized to suit individual preferences, with options to choose the size of the screen, type of audio system, and seating arrangements (Lin, 2018). This customization allows viewers to create a personalized cinema experience that caters to their specific preferences and needs. Another advantage of home cinema is cost-effectiveness. While the initial investment for a home cinema system may vary depending on the components and features chosen, it can be a cost-effective option in the long run. Regular visits to commercial cinemas can add up in terms of ticket prices, concessions, and transportation costs, whereas a home cinema setup allows viewers to save on these expenses over time (Narozhkina et al., 2019). Moreover, with the availability of streaming services and digital media, viewers can access a wide range of content at their convenience without additional costs, making home cinema an economical option for avid movie or TV show enthusiasts. Disadvantages of Home Cinema One of the main disadvantages of home cinema is the lack of social interaction that comes with watching movies at home instead of in a cinema. According to a study by Liu et al. (2021), people who watch movies alone at home are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Additionally, watching movies at home can also lead to distractions, such as interruptions from family members or friends, that can disrupt the viewing experience (Yang, 2019). Another disadvantage of home cinema is the cost of equipment and maintenance. In order to create a high-quality home cinema experience, individuals often need to invest in expensive equipment such as projectors, screens, and sound systems. This equipment also requires regular maintenance and upgrades to keep up with the latest technology (Chen et al., 2020). Moreover, the viewing experience of home cinema can be limited by the physical space of the home. Home cinemas often require a dedicated room with proper sound insulation and lighting control, which may not be feasible in smaller living spaces (Zhang et al., 2021). SYNTHESIS IV. DATA SYNTHESIS V. REFERENCES David, J. F. (2015). The definition of home cinema. In Proceedings of the 12th International Audio Mostly Conference: A Sound in Sight, Audio Mostly 2015 (pp. 1-8). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/2814895.2814911 Guieb, M. R. (2019). Microcinemas and alternative film screening spaces in the Philippines. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 49(5), 824-841. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472336.2019.1607523 Delgado, J. R. (2019). The role of architecture in the development of micro cinema communities in the Philippines. International Journal of Architecture, Engineering and Construction, 8(3), 281-288. Lico, G. (2014). Philippine microcinemas: Alternative spaces, alternative practices. Asian Cinema, 25(1), 64-78. Huggett, J. (2018). The Home Cinema Experience: A Study of User Requirements and Preferences. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Nunag, R. M. (2018). Towards a cultural policy for microcinemas in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 62(4), 1-19. Singh, J. P. (2018). Towards a better understanding of home cinema: An exploratory study of factors affecting the adoption of home cinema systems. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 44, 69-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretconser.2018.04.002 The Manila Times. (2018, August 24). The Cinematheque Manila International Film Festival 2018. Retrieved from Lynch, J. (2019). A Review of Home Cinema Design: An Exploration of Trends, Challenges, and Best Practices. Journal of Interior Design, 44(2), 53-65. Yang, H. (2019). Movie Theatres or Streaming Services? Understanding Consumers' Viewing Experience in Different Media Formats. Journal of Promotion Management, 25(4), 511-529. Zhang, X., Li, J., & Ma, Y. (2021). Design of Private Cinema under the Background of New Media--Taking Private Cinema Design in Small Space as an Example. In 2021 3rd International Conference on Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection (ICECEP 2021) (pp. 248-251). Atlantis Press.
