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Illuminated monolithic wayfinding, acoustic floating ceiling panels, integrated banquette bench, dark speckled carpeting, vertical timber slat wall, indirect LED cove lighting, low-glare recessed downlights, commercial cinema concourse layout, customized floor pattern inlay.

Cinestar Oberhausen

The Next Generation of Moviegoing

#Cinestar
#Germany
#Oberhausen
#entertainment
#Hospitality & Leisure


Interior Design & Spatial Concept: Design Clarity
Operator: CineStar Group
Landlord: Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW)

The transformation of CineStar Oberhausen represents a complete shift in modern cinema design. The project prioritises personal space, hospitality, and an intuitive customer journey. Replacing cramped rows with spacious leather recliners and wider legroom instantly sets a relaxed, premium tone. This deliberate spatial design unlocks generous floor space across the entire building, allowing the public concourse and screening rooms to feel more like an inviting lounge than a traditional multiplex space.

A major focus of the redesign is the main lobby, which trades long queues for a fluid, self-service concourse centered around an innovative marketplace design. Curved paths built into the flooring naturally guide visitors through dedicated retail marketplace zones where they can grab popcorn from warming cabinets, pour their own drinks, and select snacks at their own pace. Overhead, suspended woven light domes and a continuous wavy neon ribbon break up the vast ceiling, casting a warm glow that makes the open space feel welcoming while keeping foot traffic moving efficiently toward the screens.

Inside the auditoriums, distinct design themes create immersive environments tailored to different moviegoing experiences. The boutique cinema atmospheric concept was inspired by the enchanted woods of Germany and the world-renowned traditional Brothers Grimm fairytales, brought to life through soft cream leather seats, leafy floor patterns, stacked log feature walls, and misty forest murals. In contrast, the larger auditoriums lean into high-energy, contemporary style with sharp geometric neon lights and angled LED channels that frame the room without reflecting off the main projection screen.

Behind these visual features lies a clever approach to acoustics and lighting integration. Floating acoustic discs hang from the high concourse ceiling to absorb echo, while fabric-backed timber panels along the concourse double as sound dampeners. Wayfinding is built seamlessly into the architecture through oversized, floor-mounted black pylons with brightly lit numbers. These pylons not only make finding your hall effortless, but they also form dark entryway pockets that keep outside light from leaking into active movie rooms.

By weaving smart circulation, rich textures, and functional technology into every corner, the interior layout transforms a standard cinema into a cohesive destination. Every design choice—from the indirect LED floor strips to the cosy lounge alcoves—ensures that the customer journey through the cinema is just as engaging and comfortable as the film itself.

“Our collaboration with Design Clarity was professional and constructive throughout. The well-thought-out planning of the foyer and the design concept for the boutique cinemas laid a solid foundation for the high-quality and unique atmosphere of our new CineStar Oberhausen”

Oliver Fock
Managing Director and CEO
Cinestar

Tiered seating platforms host custom beige recliner pods inside an immersive, nature-themed auditorium. Acoustic side walls feature forest murals flanked by surface-mounted speaker arrays, creating an intimate cinematic setting that replaces standard cinema seating with spacious executive comfort.

Beige quilted leather recliners, botanical patterned carpet, forest wall mural, timber log accent wall, directional seat lamps, surround sound speakers, tiered boutique auditorium, warm ambient sconces
Self service beverage taps, woven pendant light domes, organic wave neon strip, timber slat counter, glass front warming cabinets, circular candy island, vinyl plank flooring, digital menu screens, retail concession layout

Curved flooring transitions guide visitors through an intuitive self-service concession zone designed to optimize guest flow. Suspended woven lights and a continuous wavy LED ribbon soften the high exposed ceiling, creating a warm market-style atmosphere that accelerates purchase transactions.

Large-scale illuminated forest graphics create a grounding focal point at the intersection of transition corridors. Flanked by textured timber planks and acoustic green wall panels, this architectural feature wall anchors the surrounding open space while providing a quiet backdrop for guest circulation.

Backlit forest lightbox wall, organic floating disc lights, olive green acoustic panelling, natural timber plank cladding, recessed plinth detail, ceramic floor tiles, architectural transitional foyer, soft diffuse lighting
Tiered cinema seating, leather recliner chairs, nature wall mural, integrated lighting, forest theme interior design, architectural acoustics, private lounge cinema, commercial theater fit-out

This wide perspective across the boutique auditorium reveals the complex interplay of lighting and textured surfaces. From the custom floral carpet to the curtain-like forest mural, every element works together to define a spatial escape for filmgoers.

Oversized backlit numerals integrated directly into floor-mounted black pylons mark transition points into individual screening rooms. Vertical striped wall panels wrap surrounding alcoves, masking necessary acoustic baffling while establishing a dynamic graphic cadence along the circulation corridor.

Oversized illuminated typography, black wayfinding pylons, vertical striped wall cladding, dark speckled carpet, acoustic light lock portal, recessed door alcove, graphic corridor threshold
Geometric neon wall lights, linear LED accent strips, stadium cinema seating, black acoustic wall panels, surround sound wall speakers, red walkway carpet, curved barrier wall, large format auditorium layout

Dynamic geometric LED illumination cuts across matte black acoustic walls, establishing an energetic ambiance in the main auditorium. Curved stadium seating steps smoothly down toward a red-carpeted apron, directing all sightlines directly toward the primary projection screen.

Warm copper wall finishes and illuminated lettering spotlight the central popcorn warming station. Positioned at a key circulation node near auditorium entrances, this self-service structure uses open sightlines and bright product displays to draw guests naturally into the retail experience.

Popcorn warming cabinets, copper feature wall, festoon bulb lighting, open retail shelving, woven cage pendants, continuous LED ribbon, tiled concession floor, IMAX entry portal, commercial retail design
Orange leather banquette, low-slung tub chairs, conical pedestal tables, hidden cove lighting, geometric wall graphic, acoustic ceiling panel, patterned carpet inlay, cinema waiting lounge

Vibrant orange leather seating brings tactile warmth and high contrast to the sleek concourse alcove. Positioned directly over a custom geometric carpet runner, the continuous banquette creates an inviting rest zone for gathering guests before showtimes.