9020%6 ‘Seating capacity and space requirements - Independent Cinema Ofice
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Seating capacity and space requirements
The amount of space required for each
auditorium depends on a number of factors
but the figures below provide an
approximate guide. The calculations are
based on a modem design using 1.10-1.20
metres from seat back to seat back and 550
— 600mm seat widths.
‘+ 200 seats: 270m#/2,900 12
‘+ 150 seats: 190m#/2,000 1t2
#75 seats: 125 mé/ 1,350 f2
The number of screens and the auditorium
capacity depend on many factors ranging
from audience potential estimates andthe Auditorium at Derby QUAD
programming range thatis planned to the
finance available and the characteristics
and size of the site or building. In general one medium or large auditorium seating atleast 150 people
is required. A more typical capacity is around 200-230 seats. This auditorium should be able to
accommodate the peak audiences at weekends — people turned away from a full house may not
return.
Additional auditoria should be graduated in size down to 70-100 seats for the smallest screen. The
variation in capacity allows films to be placed in auditoria that match their anticipated audience.
‘Smaller capacity auditoria may prove to be viable as oullined in the section about Digital cinemas,
There are a few new community cinemas beginning to buck the trend as cities gain small single
screening rooms with unusual or luxury seating. Itis, however, advisable to carefully investigate the
operational economics of operating such small auditoria before including them in a new design ora
refurbishment project
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