In the vibrant city of Haikou, on China's Hainan Island, the Insun Cinema has become a benchmark for experiential architecture. Designed by One Plus Partnership, this project demonstrates how a commercial space can be transformed into a sensory experience where architecture engages in dialogue with the natural landscape.
More than just a movie theater, the Insun Cinema offers an aesthetic immersion inspired by the sea, a defining element of the island.
A Tribute to the Sea Without Clichés
The central concept of the Insun Cinema stems from a clear premise: to pay homage to the ocean without resorting to obvious solutions. Instead of using blue as the dominant color, the architects opted for a more sophisticated and material approach.
The protagonist of the design is the brick, made with local beach sand. This gesture authentically connects the building to its surroundings, transforming the material into a narrative. Here, the architecture doesn't imitate the sea: it interprets it.
Waves of brick: the architectural hallmark of the Insun Cinema
The lobby is the conceptual heart of the project. The walls, constructed with bricks laid in undulating patterns, create a sense of constant movement. These “waves” not only serve an aesthetic purpose but also intuitively organize the flow of movement.
Indirect lighting, strategically placed in the folds of the wall, emphasizes the texture and adds visual depth. The result is a warm, almost sculptural environment where each visitor experiences a gradual transition between exterior and interior.
Functional design and details that elevate the experience
The Insun Cinema is not just visually striking; it also adheres to safety and ergonomic principles. The waves on the floor, painted in shades of gray, reduce the risk of tripping and reinforce the conceptual coherence.
The furniture, with curved edges that evoke ocean waves, integrates fluid and organic seating areas. Each element reinforces the narrative of the sea, creating a cohesive experience from the entrance to the screening room.
Accessible and Contemporary Architecture
One of the greatest strengths of the Insun Cinema is its inclusive approach. The design incorporates universal accessibility and spatial comfort, demonstrating that aesthetics can coexist with functionality. This incredible project was carried out by One Plus Partnership, an international design and architecture studio based in Hong Kong, renowned for transforming commercial spaces into immersive and narrative experiences.
Founded by Billy Hung and Leo Lei, the studio specializes in conceptual interior design projects—particularly cinemas, shopping malls, and cultural spaces—where architecture tells a story.
Insun Cinema: More Than a Cinema, a Spatial Experience
The Insun Cinema represents a growing trend in contemporary architecture: creating spaces that are not only used but also remembered. In Haikou, this cinema stands as a symbol of contextual design, where material, light, and form construct an immersive narrative.
A work that demonstrates that architecture, when inspired by nature, can transform even the everyday experience of watching a film.
