Behind the Scenes of The Solaris Villas Project: Crafting Luxury with a £10k Cinema Screen

Creating homes that blend luxury with cutting-edge technology requires more than just high-end materials and sleek design. At The Solaris Villas in Cologny, Geneva, the challenge is to build two home cinemas in two different villas that offer not only elegance but also an immersive entertainment experience. This second post in our series on The Solaris Villas Project, explores the decisions behind installing different cinema rooms in two villas, focusing on why investing in a £10,000 cinema screen was essential to meet the client's requests.

Villa D's AV requests

Our client expressed specific preferences for his cinema room setup, particularly regarding the colour scheme of the audio equipment. We inquired whether he would like his right and left speakers, center speaker, and subwoofer to be finished in black. This choice not only aligns with contemporary design aesthetics but also enhances the overall ambiance of the cinema room, ensuring that the audio components seamlessly integrate with the surrounding decor. Black velvet screen surrounds were also selected for the ceiling mounted screen with recessed housing as per architectural design.

Seymour-Screen Excellence's electrically retractable screens are the only retractable screens in the world that feature a fabric velvet border.  With multiple times more light-absorbing power, the Infinite Black™ velvet borders perfectly absorb the overscan pixels and frame your image with a sharp, high-contrast edge.  Using patented design features, the retractables also feature a stealth Uni-tab™ system, hiding the side tension cables behind the Infinite Black velvet borders so the screens don't have a huge width penalty or hourglass shape.  With the industry exclusive velvet, the screen will have additional flexibility in how our client can frame different aspect ratios, such as 1.85 content on a 16:9 screen, or 2.40 content on a 2.37 screen.

The client has expressed sincere gratitude for our thoughtful input and suggestions throughout the project so far. After reviewing the room geometry, seating arrangements, and light control options, we engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the optimal projector and placement. With a focus on creating a cinema-like experience, the client ultimately decided to stick with the JVC DLA-NZ700 projector. This choice was primarily driven by the projector's exceptional contrast and HDR performance, which are essential for achieving an immersive viewing experience in a dark room setting.

The client's screen sources were confirmed to include a variety of streaming and television options. Specifically, the sources will consist of Apple, Netflix, and ViaPlay, which will be accessed via VPN for enhanced connectivity. Additionally, traditional television service will be provided through Swisscom's Blue TV, ensuring a comprehensive range of viewing choices for the client.

Importance of Source Compatibility

It is crucial to double-check that all sources can fit within the screen's aspect ratio. This ensures that the viewing experience is optimal and that no content is cut off or distorted.

Why a £10,000 Cinema Screen Is Necessary

At first glance, spending £10,000 on a cinema screen might seem extravagant. However, this investment is not a boast but a necessity driven by the project’s unique requirements.

Meeting High Visual Standards

The Solaris Villas brief demanded a cinema experience that could rival commercial theaters. This meant:

• Exceptional image clarity: The screen had to support ultra-high-definition content without distortion or loss of detail.

• Wide viewing angles: Ensuring that every seat in the room offers a perfect view.

• Durability and longevity: The screen material needed to maintain its quality over years of use without fading or warping.

  
  

The chosen screen meet all these criteria, and will deliver crisp, vibrant images that enhance every movie.

System Integration Overview

Integrating the JVC DLA-NZ700 projector with the Denon AVC-X2850H amplifier and Bowers & Wilkins speakers, along with the Crestron TSR-310-B remote for automation, involves several steps to ensure seamless operation and control.

Connection Setup And Professional Calibration

• Projector to Amplifier: Connect the JVC projector to the Denon amplifier using an HDMI cable. Ensure the cable is high-speed to support 4K content.

• Speakers to Amplifier: Connect the Bowers & Wilkins speakers to the Denon amplifier using appropriate speaker wire.

• Custom Remote Control Setup: Program the Crestron TSR-310-B remote to control the Denon amplifier, lighting and projector.

• Programming Dimming Settings: Create scenes in the Crestron software that adjust the lighting based on the activity (e.g., movie watching, presentations). Dimmable LED lights and blackout curtains allow the homeowners to adjust the ambiance to suit any viewing mood. - Starting the movie automatically will dim the light, cinema room ambience before the projector starts...

• Audio Calibration: Use the Denon amplifier’s calibration tool to optimise speaker settings for the room acoustics.

• Video Calibration: Adjust the projector settings for optimal picture quality, including brightness, contrast, and colour settings.

• Lighting Test: Test the automated lighting settings to ensure they respond correctly to the remote commands and create the desired ambiance.

  
  

Practical Considerations Behind the Scenes

Installing two cinema rooms with such high specifications required careful planning and coordination.

• Structural adjustments: Reinforcing walls and ceilings to support soundproofing and heavy equipment.

• Wiring and connectivity: Concealing cables and ensuring reliable connections for audio, video, and control systems.

• Ventilation and cooling: Maintaining optimal temperatures to protect sensitive electronics and keep the rooms comfortable.

  
  

These behind-the-scenes efforts are crucial to delivering a seamless luxury cinema experience.

Bringing the Vision to Life

The Solaris Villas project demonstrates how thoughtful design and strategic investment create spaces that go beyond traditional luxury. The £10,000 cinema screen is not just a feature but a centerpiece that defines the quality and ambition of the home.

The next post in this series will explore how it feels to enjoy the immersive audio visual experience and the interior design choices that complement the cinema rooms, blending style with comfort to complete the Solaris Villas home cinema experience!