First Boutique Cinema in Norway

The veteran cinema brand introduces the country's first boutique cinema in Trondheim, Norway. Two of the screens from the eleven-screen cinema facility have been fitted out and transformed into screens that simply ooze luxury, comfort and cosiness. Despite its boutique nature, the cinema screens are up-to-date with their sound and projection technology.

Established in the year 1918 as a result of the Norwegian parliament giving the municipal councils the right to grant licenses for cinema operation, Trondheim Kino is the only cinema operator in Norway's third largest city that has a relatively large student population. Trondheim Kino has two venues in the city centre, Prinsen Kino, the eight-screen multiplex and Nova Kino with eleven screens.

Trondheim municipality took over the then privately owned World Theatre on the Circus plot in Prinsens street, which had previously been the largest cinema in the Nordics with 1,150 seats. The cinema centra has been remodelled at several stages and Prinsen Kino appears today as a modern cinema centre with eight screens. In 1938, Trondheim Kino entered into an agreement with the labour union about cinema operation, and six years later the cinema was opened under the name Sentrum Kino. It was in operation until 1993, until the large screen was rebuilt into five screens and renamed Nova Kinosenter. The cinema centre was further remodelled and received an addition of six screens. Nova's main screen, the Liv Ullmann screen, has been modernised several times, most recently with a new screen and Dolby Atmos sound system.

Continuing its remodelling and refurbishing tradition, Nova Kino has been refurbished once again with two new boutique screens. The layout of the two new boutique screens were designed by the famous cinema consultant Rolv Gjestland who has been responsible for hundred of new builds and renovations in Norway in the past four decades. The contracting and project management was done by Skeie Seating, the leading fixed seating supplies in Scandinavia for 75 years and the chairs were produced by Infinity Seating. For generations, Skeie Seating AS has delivered chairs to plenary halls all over the world.

"The geometry of the screens was quite challenging with its low ceiling, shape and concrete walls. The capacity of the screens were reduced from 115 seats and 7 row screens, to 64 seats and 5 rows in each of the screens, increasing the row depth from 1.100mm to 1.850mm," added Runar Lien, Senior Advisor Cinema & Culture, Skeie Seating AS. The two cinema centres are both located in old existing buildings used for other purposes and have been remodelled several times over the years. cushions and table lamps. The cinema facility hosted the annual Norwegian Cinema Conference known for its large number of guests and speakers from all over the world. The boutique cinema screens have soon become a buzz with the gaining popularity.

Trondheim Kino has re-branded their entire cinema concept for the screens with the names EPIQ, MAGIQ and BOUTIQ with the first concept being high-end comfortable cinema seats, MAGIQ with electrical recliners and the latter a genuine boutique cinema concept with all its features. It is important to emphasise that boutique screens are not only the design of the seats but an entire concept inclusive of programming, design, fabric and colours of the sofas and chairs, addons like tables, lamps and decorative cushions, a cinema bar and the design and decoration of the walls.

"The geometry of the screens was quite challenging with its low ceiling, shape and concrete walls. The capacity of the screens was reduced from 115 seats and 7 row screens, to 64 seats and 5 rows in each of the screens, increasing the row depth from 1.100mm to 1.850mm."

– Runar Lien

Senior Advisor Cinema & Culture, Skeie Seating AS

Both screens have a combination of 2-seater sofas and armchairs. A split of approximately 15 to 25 per cent or 75 to 85 per cent between the armchairs and the sofas is ideal for screens of this size.

Runar Lien, continues, "Our customers make a living by selling experiences and disseminating information to their customers. The surroundings are crucial to the customer experience, and our products are very important for the impression of a plenary hall. With superior products and professionally based advising, we will help our customers to give their customers the best possible experience. Our mission is therefore: We make our customers more attractive to their customers!"

The candy-looking appearance of the seats have really made their way outside Norway with the fluffy

Trondheim Kino has gone all the way in terms of its concept and has taken a serious note on setting the standard, not only in Norway but also for the rest of Scandinavia when it comes to conceptual thinking.