Skandia Cinema Erik Gunnar Asplund

Stockholm 1922-23

Function and Circulation

The served spaces apart from the main theatre could be used as foyer spaces where members of the audience gather and there is possibly a bar positioned just off this space, thus making is a very social experience. The servant spaces are likely to be used for storage and behind the scenes maintenance.

Functions (Servant and Served Spaces)

servant spaces

served spaces

Circulation(flows and access)

public circulation/accessprivate circulation/access

A journey is created to guide people through the building and hence direct them to the auditorium entrance, as well as the artworks on display.

Materials and Structure

BalconyThe balcony and seats are covered in a crimson velvet. Custom embroidered relief applications made of silver and silk thread dress the balcony fronts.

Auditorium Crimson red velvet covers the 572 seats in the auditorium and wall to wall carpeting conceals the stone floor beneath.

Auditorium RoofThe barral vaulted ceiling painted in dark blue and the 60 silk-covered star shaped lamps were designed to create an atmosphere of festivity beneath the night sky. The ceiling is composed of pale grey plaster consisteng of compluvium, wreathed in chaste, and gilded tracery.

FoyerThe foyer gives the the visitor the impression that they are entering a building standing in the middle of a dark green space, but once inside they find a vaulted space like the night sky.

Layout and Envelope

The layout and form of the building directly reflects the function of the space and therefore the amount of time people will dwell in this area. For example, the large expansive foyer promotes the gathering of people and hence a more social experi-ence. In contrast, the narrow vestibules bring people close to the artworks, as well as guide them swiftly to their seats.

One of the main themes throughout the design was the idea of bringing the exte-rior in and turning the inside out.