Hey guys,

I would like to share a beautiful theater that Dennis Erskine designed. The construction has not yet started but I helped his customer visualize the space before they built. One interesting facet of this design is that the roof of the house will be lifted to create the room seen in these images.

I hope to update this thread with some construction photos as they arrive and might be able to answer a few questions. However, since I am not involved in the design/build, my knowledge may be limited. Perhaps Dennis will fill us in on the details if he finds time. I really wanted to share this unique theater with the forum due to some interesting construction techniques and looks that may inspire the talented members here.

After receiving the floorplans and initial elevations, these early views were produced:

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/77/sharmapass30003rp8.th.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass30003rp8.jpg) http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/2751/sharmapass30004hw7.th.jpg (http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass30004hw7.jpg)

Then, more data was presented and more time was put into refining the drawings to get to this point:

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/5827/sharmapass50001ho3.th.jpg (http://img242.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass50001ho3.jpg) http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/6641/sharmapass50003yj0.th.jpg (http://img441.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass50003yj0.jpg)

I thought we had a final design when we hit this stage:

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/7595/sharmapass100001wl7.th.jpg (http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass100001wl7.jpg) http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/3210/sharmapass100002id8.th.jpg (http://img351.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass100002id8.jpg)

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/3922/sharmapass100003li4.th.jpg (http://img351.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass100003li4.jpg) http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/484/sharmapass100004kp8.th.jpg (http://img351.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass100004kp8.jpg)

But then the owner of this design decided to zazz it up with what Dennis refers to as "Do Dads" :).

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/3811/sharmapass120001qd9.th.jpg (http://img351.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass120001qd9.jpg) http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/448/sharmapass120002py3.th.jpg (http://img390.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass120002py3.jpg)

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7515/sharmapass120003ip1.th.jpg (http://img315.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass120003ip1.jpg) http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/9072/sharmapass120004lw4.th.jpg (http://img315.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sharmapass120004lw4.jpg)

The room will featue a curved 2.35:1 screen.

Hope you enjoyed this early look and I will try to bring you some construction photos if there is an interest in this theater.

Joe

Man, that is REALLY nice.

The sconces in my drawings are supposed to look like this:

http://www.seagulllighting.com/Wall-Lighting-42041-734.html

http://img456.imageshack.us/img456/8977/42041734ck3.jpg

42041-734, Two-Light Cypress Wall Sconce, Grecian Stone

That looks great. Awesome renders! I would look forward to seeing some construction photos of that one.

What are the basic dimensions of that room?

Stunning work Joe; some of your best renderings yet. The deep blue and red combined with gold are evocative of old Indian royalty.

Sanjay

@Warren: I believe the room is about 10.5 feet tall. And the floorplan is about 18.5ft wide by about 27ft long. Not sure how detailed Dennis would want to det with his design data but those approximations should be OK.

@Sanjay: I believe the owner of this theater is from that region of the globe. Good eye.

Joe -

Great looking renders!!!!!!!!

Mike

I'll see what we can do for progress photos without compromising the privacy of the client.

Looks like there is lots of potential there for a beautiful theater. Would love to see progress and finished pics if possible.

Joe

Excellent work on the renders.

What do you mean "supposed to", the sconces are great!
Well Done.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4484/houstonsmxf0.png

Very cool design. Although, you need to stop by Lowe's on the way home and pick up some light bulbs :D

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4484/houstonsmxf0.png

WOW!! Very impressive Reaper! The texture on the seats is photo realistic.

Very cool design. Although, you need to stop by Lowe's on the way home and pick up some light bulbs :D


LOL :) I thought I was the only one that noticed.

WOW!! Very impressive Reaper! The texture on the seats is photo realistic.

I think that is because it is a photo. I bet.. ;)

Theres some updated photos of this theater build in progress in another thread on the 2.35:1 forum...
About 2/3rds of the way down you can see real life photos of it...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=561280

I think that is because it is a photo. I bet.. ;)
I'm betting on a combination. I.E. some touchup work after a 360 camera "capture".

That is a pure photo... no rendering in the latest image.

Wow that's weird how the photo looks somehow unreal, maybe something about the lighting.

Nice theater. That's a lot of lights for a room where the light will be off 99% of the time.

Nice theater. That's a lot of lights for a room where the light will be off 99% of the time.

Didn't you notice they took 2 out for less light..hehe.. ;)

Reaper & Dennis,
Holy smokes, you guys have out done yourself, it looks terrific.
From a design aspect, have you considered three arched panels (instead of two) on the rear wall, covering the door with the same fabric? Not to hide it mind you, but, the six panel door detracts from this wonderfully detailed space.

Sincerely,
Winkelmann

Didn't you notice they took 2 out for less light..hehe.. ;)

Actually, i think once the room was complete and its acoustics measured, it was determined that those two bulb locations were slightly too reflective. Philips is busy working on a bulb surface that is a little more diffusive as we speak...

;)

Two bulbs!?! Looks like three to me. ;)

Door...let's understand this room belongs to the client, not the designer.

The entry to the room is through a hidden door ... in other words, you have to find the right bookcase to swing open to enter the lobby (fuzzy photo not attached).
We have a double communicating door to the mechanical room.
Attached are 'progress' photos so you can see what we started with.

Yes..the final photo was taken before the room was complete.

I want to also thank Reaper for his fine work. On projects like this, such accurate renderings save time, effort and "do overs". :)

Here's the concealed door into the mechanical space (actually, you cannot see the double communicating door...all you see is the access to that door.

This theater is located directly over the master bedroom. The theater is not heard in the master bedroom below.

ice theater. That's a lot of lights for a room where the light will be off 99% of the time.
Code requires n number of foot candles at 3' AFF. The code authors and inspectors tend to not care how often they are used or if you dim them. Another code matter in this room is the fire sprinkler system. In this room the sprinklers are very well hidden from view (frankly, the fire marshall had a hard time as well until we pointed them out.)

I'm betting on a combination. I.E. some touchup work after a 360 camera "capture".
Absolutely no touch up work was done on these photos. What you're seeing is what came off the card in the camera.

Wow that's weird how the photo looks somehow unreal, maybe something about the lighting.

Yeah, that kind of fooled me too.

Bravo!!! Well done.

From color and texture, to the "Old World Opulence" feel - all I can say is "wow!"

Reaper and Dennis, ya'll do terrific work!

Man! That is a fabulous result. I can really see the value of such realistic renderings. Dennis, you did the build out?

I've always wanted a secret door in my house. :)

Looks great!

Dennis, you did the build out?
Yes. We did the design, demo, construction, installation and calibration. This was a turnkey project.

I think it's really neat how close to the concept renderings the final product was, very nice job.

Love the design...great job on both the rendering and the implementation...

One question though...Where are the front speakers, center and subwoofer? Are they all behind the screen or are they behind those (what look to be) wooden pieces on the proscenium?

They are all behind the screen and baffle mounted.

Gorgeous work ! Congrats Dennis ! :)

Art

One more question...because doing what you did on that ceiling might help me solve my vaulted ceiling issues...What is that blue and gold material that you have between the layers of soffit/crown moulding? Is that cloth or some kind of wood or what?

I understand if you can't give this information out...but just wondering if you would share.

Thank you,

Paint over wood. The gold was hand painted (necessary to make the stripes match in the corners).

Nice!
So what was the cost of the project excluding electronics?

Yes. We did the design, demo, construction, installation and calibration. This was a turnkey project.
Beautiful job Dennis!

Next time, I'm letting you do the construction!!

---curtis

So what was the cost of the project excluding electronics?
Sorry. Not going there.

Nice!
So what was the cost of the project excluding electronics?

I'll speak for what i think the owner is thinking and say Priceless...

Did I just read about this theater in the July/August "Electronic House"?

Congrats!

Tim

I was informed by Ash that it is indeed in that magazine :). I have not seen the article myself yet though.

Joe

Are the draperies fixed or do they close in front of the screen?

With those room dimensions, I would guess they are decorative and do not move.

Anyone know?

The curtains are real, they work and were fabricated by favorite, all time, best on the planet, outstanding service drapery shop. I'll post the link on Monday when I get back to the office.

Jeff,
The room is 18 feet x 28 Feet - the ceiling at highest point is 11 Feet.
The draperies open and close (RS 232 based System).
Attached are some AVS exclusive pictures - these are in none of the magazines and not in my gallery - recently improved the front stage draperies also introduced by Dennis (Even Dennis has not seen this). I took the pictures from my point and shoot camera - not so good.
6 Months after completion - Dennis not only built me the perfect room (at least in my opinion) but I am extremely impressed with how he has stood behind the tiniest of issues I have brought up - often flying down people here all the way from Atlanta and elsewhere to attend to the issues. It has been a very positive turnkey design and build project experience.
Ash

Nice project!

How do you get the drapes to stack in such a small space. Your screen looks quite wide. How wide is it?

My room is approx 17.5 wide (32 ft long) and I am looking to install a 14 ft wide 2.35 scope screen and don't think i can get the motorized drapes to stack so tightly for such a wide screen.

My screen is 12 feet Stewart Cinecurve 2:35 with automatic AR -This leaves 3 feet on each side for curtain.
My room is 28 feet but there is 3 feet behind the screen for Audio Gear so for all practical purposes the room is 25 feet long.
The room sounds incredible and you cannot hear anything in other parts of the house at reference sound level.
Your room is long enough (32 feet) - to accommodate a 14 foot wide screen but I am not sure if Stewart makes a curved screen this big. Even if they do, the cost would be intresting to know as mine at 12 foot cost 24 K.
One thing is for sure, if you put a 14 fit screen you have less thon 2 feet on each side just enough to put the border -maybe masking system? very tight space with drapes impossible to put.
Another issue would be with the increased hieght will the various rows get a obstructed view?
We considered a 14 feet wide then 13 and then went with 12 feet although room has only two rows and has substantial hieght of 11 feet.

Thanks Ash,

The screen I am looking at is the Stewart Cinecurve with automatic aspect ratio control (same as yours). Yes, the screen is a bit expensive. Especially when you add in the ISCO lens and scaler.

I have 2.5 ft behind the screen for my speakers and subs. Getting back to replace speakers, etc has always required the screen be removed first. Do you have to remove your screen to replace speakers / subs / etc. as well?


The height of the new screen will be only 2" higher than my current 16:9 but 4 ft longer! My viewing distances are 11 ft front row, 18 ft middle row, 25 ft third row.

Yes, Dennis built my theater and it is rock solid and very little sound escapes (or gets in). I am very pleased with my frequency response and the room passed Terry Montlick's Alpha Certification for acoustics.

So, I will have only 1.5 ft per side for curtains, apparently they will need to stay in place as decorative. Crap.

Anyways, back to your thread. Thanks for the info. Looks gorgeous!!!

*BTW what is your equipment list for this theater? Congrats!!

Jeff,

Equipment List
Sony Qualia Q 00 4 1100 hours on first lamp
Lumagen HDP video processor
Stewart Cinecurve 12 foot Grayhawk Micro Perforated 2:35 Automatic AR control
Isco 3 lens

Aerial LR5’s Front LC R
Aerial SW 12 Front Left and Right Subs
Triad Silvers -6 Speakers for Sorround
2 Triad Bronze subs
Qsc DSPs to control In wall subs and speakers

Theta CB3 with three extreme cards
Theta citadels1.5 (newly upgraded) Front 3 channels
Theta Dreadnaught for 6 channels of Surround

TivoHD 3
Toshiba XA2 HD DVD
Panasonic BD 10 Blue Ray
Slimserver Transporter RS232 feedback on Crestron of all FLAC media on NAS.
Infrant 3 TB NAS
Niveus Pro N Media PC windows vista Cablecard (for upgrade with Niveus currently)
ADA Sirius player RS232 feedback on Crestron

Crestron TPC 1700 c touchpanel
Crestron T Stat temperature control.

Lutron Graphic eye systems with Crestron Lutron control module

Richard Gray Power Company power House Power conditioner
Panamax UPS

Middle Atlantic Rack systems
Rack cooling system
projector cooling system

I would like to highlight a very cool automation we accomplished in the room. the crestron module is connected via RS232 to the house alarm system. You can not only arm and disarm the alarm system from touchpad but if a door or window in any zone open and closes the touch pad wakes up and shows. when this happens you have the opportunity to hit cameras and all the cameras of the house can be displayed on the screen. Once a pip capable scaler like the radiance comes out - you can set it to show cameras in a pip or turn it off if you donot want to be disturbed.

Great Peace of mind when cocooned at reference level with the family in the room.

Ash

Ash,

Fantastic set up.

I am using a Qualia as well.. Did you have to got to high brihghtness mode / open IRIS to get the lumens? IF so, how many ft lamberts are you getting?

Wity IRIS 1 and low lamp mode on my 004 (700 hrs), I get @18 ft lamberts on my 10 ft wide (16:9) Firehawk microperf. I ask as I know a 14 ft wide microperf scope will push it and I do not want to upgrade PJs at this time.

Grayhawk - .91 gain? (Not a Firehawk 1.3 gain)?

Thanks for the info...we have very similar set ups, designers and room dimensions...!

I like your Crestron solution with your security integrated. I use RTI (RS232) but am unsure if they have a solution to integrate my security / cameras. Great info here.

Jeff,
1. Although I have a enough of space behind the screen - to do any real changes - you have to take the screen out. The Cinecurve comes on a very easy to take out frame (a two man job due to size) which is very light.
2. My Qualia was calibrated by Josh Lehman - until recently I was watching in IRIS 1 position (medium) but recently felt the screen should be more bright so switched to IRIS Off position - not sure whether I like that maybe will go back to 1.
3. The screen is a Greyhawk to compensate for SXRD black levels - the Qualia is as you know very bright and you get increased brightness when using a ISCO lamp (even at 1100 hours I find off IRIS to be a little too bright). Josh might have measured the foot lamb's I do not remember what they were. The good thing with the Cinecurve is (please correct me if I am wrong) that the fabric can be easily changed. I prefer 1.0 gain but would need a no compromise projector which Is not out yet.
4. I see no reason why your remote cannot do what mine can do - since both are RS 232 based. In fact once you have everything hooked by RS 232 - you can even program the alarm system such that in the event the alarm does go off during movie watching the sound would shut down, lights go full bright and the cameras will come on the screen.

Thanks for the compliments - this is a result of very good team put togethor by Dennis - although only the painter who did all the ceilings and stenciling on lobby walls was from Houston, every one else from other parts of the country - the project was finished in time.
I did go for a lot of lighting and attention to aesthtecis but it is not only a great place for watching movies but also to listen to music while I work (I have taken occasional naps in the soundproof room with mood light mode and soft music).
Ash

Thanks for all the answers. You have a beautiful room that I am sure has a lot of muscle.

You are right about the Qualia. A lot of light, limited blacks. I am, like you, waiting for a no coompromise PJ before I upgrade. Currently, the Qualia meets my needs in a excellent way.

Great suggestions on the RS232. I'll look into this as I upgrade.


*One last technical question, are you running your Qualia on HIGH LAMP mode at IRIS 1 or LOW LAMP mode.

Thanks!!!

Jeff,
You got me on this one.
I know I am running IRIS off in Cinema mode.
How can I know whether I am lamp High or low? If you can walk me through the steps I can check!
Ash

Ash,

I appreciate the effort.

It is in the menu system. I think it is in the area where you set contrast, brightness, etc. One of the first menus to scroll on when hitting the menu button.

I am not home. It would be in your manual under 'lamp' mode - High / Low.

I run mine in 'low' now but wondered if 'high' would be needed. You'll get 700 hours more out of the bulb in 'low'.

I'll check later when I get home. I am really curious to know if you can light up that screen in the 'low' mode....

Thanks!

Ash,

Here is how to check your lamp mode.

Hit Qualia MENU button
(the PICTURE SETTINGS menu on top). Scroll to the right and go to ADJUST PICTURE (hit ENTER)

Scroll down to bottom adjustment (CINEMA BLACK PRO) and hit ENTER

You'll see LAMP MODE as either HIGH or LOW

For that size screen, I would guess HIGH (normal lamp wattage)

Nice Job Ash, very glad to see that you got what you wanted from the design and implementation. :)

Art

Wow- what an amazing theater!

I like your Crestron solution with your security integrated. I use RTI (RS232) but am unsure if they have a solution to integrate my security / cameras. Great info here.

You can probably do the first part, but as of yet RTI doesn't have 2-way RS-232, so you won't get feedback on the various zones. The 2-way RS-232 should be coming shortly, but they have been saying that for a few months now.

CJ

Art - CJO - Thanks for the compliments.
Jeff - I will post on the forum once I have checked (should be tonight).

Jeff,
The Qualia is running at 'Low' Lamp.
Ash

Wow! That is amazing with a screen your size and a grayhawk.

I hope to run low lamp myself...but I am sure that I will at least have to have the IRIS wide open. Right now I am in low lamp, IRIS 1 and ISF calibrated and get 18 ft lamberts on my 10 ft microperf. I imagine your IRIS must be wide open in low lamp mode...Thanks!

Jeff,
Actually I was very surprised to see it at 'low'.
Up until recently I was running at iris 1 and switched to off at 1150 hours.
I have no way to measure ft lambs- I am finding it to be a little too bright for my taste at off.
the problem is that at 1 I find it to be a bit dull.
One thing is for sure it can easily light up a 14 foot Grayhawk screen.
Ash

Here's the concealed door into the mechanical space (actually, you cannot see the double communicating door...all you see is the access to that door.

Reaper, great choice for design and looks.

Dennis, have you ever posted YOUR home theater pictures? I salute you in the design and final work of your theaters. Some of your work is similar to Russ Hershelmanns design, (home theater guy). In what way is you work different then his? I know he caters to pro sport athletes and celebs, that may be one. But, in technical elements, are you guys close?

No. I have not posted pictures of my home theater nor do I intend to. You're welcome to visit our demo theater in Atlanta.

Yes, Reaper did an excellent job of rendering the design. We provided him with fabric samples, photos of fixtures, CAD drawings, etc. Exceptional results.

I see no simularities between my work and Russ', nor do I focus on any particular user community. While we both face 'technical' issues, our approaches and solution sets are different particularily in the low frequency and sound isolation domains. Russ is retired, I am not (yet). :)

Impressive theater. That project should be featured on that DIY show "Wasted Spaces". Great use of what would have otherwise been just a very large attic. I love the incorporation of hidden doors. The level of "fit and finish" looks to be top notch. It's becoming more and more rare to see that kind of attention to detail. Kudos to Design Cinema Privee for another job well done.

Dennis, since this was built out in an existing attic space, I was curious if you could share a few of items:
1.) What kinds of solutions were put into place to maintain adequate attic ventilation - active ventilation with powered fans perhaps?
2.) Did you have to add larger joists to beef up the floor or were the existing joists already sized appropriately?
3.) What did the stage fill consist of?

Thanks.

1. There is more the adequate passive ventilation;
2. We did add new floor joists and 6' deep foundation pillars to support the additional structure weight;
3. No sand...too heavy.

Sorry for the somewhat off-topic question, but what are the benefits of using a free-standing speaker in a baffle design as you did here versus a free-standing speaker placed away from the front wall versus an inwall front speaker?

Thanks,
CJ

InWall speakers are designed to be mounted into a wall and their response is based upon the designer's knowledge about the performance of the speaker once flush mounted.

Full range, free standing speakers need to be about 15' from any boundary to avoid a long list of problems including SBIR.

A properly treated and designed baffle will address the Allison Dip, SBIR from the front wall, smooth out response and reduce, or eliminate comb filtering (among other evils).

Thanks Dennis. I worked with Russ in a 1995 CEDIA project, but only talked with him two other times since and did not know he retired.

This may be personal, but what plans do you have after retirement? Do you plan to sell Design Cinema? Do you want to travel the world?

Design Cinema will never be sold. I'll likely never retire; but, I'm likely to spend more time flying.

Design Cinema will never be sold. I'll likely never retire; but, I'm likely to spend more time flying.

Dennis, you are just the man! :p

Design Cinema will never be sold. I'll likely never retire; but, I'm likely to spend more time flying.

Dennis, gorgeous work on Ash's theater ! I finally saw the article today. Only criticism is you should have had them print a nice NEW picture of you in there. ;)

Art

Design Cinema will never be sold. I'll likely never retire; but, I'm likely to spend more time flying.
Does that mean we're buying a King Air? :)

No. I have not posted pictures of my home theater nor do I intend to.

Come on Dennis! I will show you mine if you show me yours :eek:

es that mean we're buying a King Air?
Why get something slower than we already have? :)

Come on Dennis! I will show you mine if you show me yours :eek:

I bet you can view Dennis theater on Google maps, or from buying some toys from a Army surplus store, LOL. If one can view Bill Gates theater, why not Dennis theater?! ;) :D

How about some details on the acoustics, construction and equipment.....

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/secret_entrance_leads_to_old_opera_house/C201

Talk about resurrecting a dead thread........

This is a beautiful theater. There are many design elements that are similar to the design I came up with for my theater. This will most definitely be a great reference as I go along.

I did have one question, however. I am planning on doing arched panels for my walls as well, but I don't know how to make the arch in the wood framing! Did you purchase those arches premade, did you make them, or are they flexible and painted to match the wood? Your input would be greatly appreciative, as I haven't been able to find many others with a similar rounded arch design.

We do our own frames and trim work. Other than design, we also do the full turnkey construction, fabric and trim work.

There are flexible mouldings available from various sources; but, the majority of flexible trim items are not wood and cannot be stained (can be painted).

There are many commercial products designed to make quick work of building archways in drywall construction. Here is just one I found on a quick Google.

http://www.jnkproducts.com/instantarch-howto.htm


You should also visit the Trim-Tex web site for information on various drywall edge products

http://www.trim-tex.com/

Download their catalog and look at the gallery of photos for ideas.