State Multiplex, Nelson

NEW ZEALAND CINEMAS -State Multiplex, Nelson

Multi-Showcase Cinemas, owners of the State multi-plex, in planning the plexing of the State cinema, were faced with what can you do with a space 12m wide by 17m long by 7m high, and that had almost the entire end taken up by the screen. The :stage" approach with plenty of room for curtains and proscenium was not possible. Enter Min Hall of Ian Jack and Associated Ltd (architects). The architects were faced with a demanding task of fitting into the space the four proposed cinemas. The condition and construction of the old building had to be carefully assessed as time and technology had surpassed it. A web of steel and concrete sheer walls had to be threated into and tied to the building. The structure had to be anchored to new pillars driven through the underlying silts of the Maitai River to tie it back to the ground and strenghten the old building to modern earthquake standards. On 25 May, 1992, the builders mved in with a ten week timetable to complete the project.

As a result four screens, each with their own identity, all with a local flovour were created. Pelmets were used to create skyline silhouettes. Cinema 1 and 2 depicts different portions of the Tasman Bay, adopted to suit speaker placement. Cinema 1 has a crying room, a small soundproof room at the rear of the auditorium, with a large glass window. To sit in Cinema 3 is to sit on a beach with trees either side going down to the water. Cinema 4, the arthouse screen, located on the first floor, is different. It has a lower ceiling, with all the structure and services visible. The roof trusses and supporting pillars have been picked out with an urban skyline beyond. The cinema is out fitted with recling armchairs. It is also covered by the wine license, enabling patrons to take a glass of wine into the cinema.

The foyer has a curved ticket and confectionary counter in keeping with the curved art deco facade. As you move through the complex, ceiling heights rise towards the atrim leading up to Cinema 4 and the cafe. The cafe, licensed, is licensed, is located on the first floor opposite the projection room. The cafe has a low ceiling. The curved bar, contrasting colours and terracotta tiles lead to the balcony, bring another dimension, bringing the inside out again to tie up with the colours and forms of the facade.

In the auditoriums the rows are curved so that no matter where one sits, they will be looking at the middle of the screen. Each is equipped with full ceiling to floor screen baffle walls. In addition, the ceilings are covered with 50mm monaccoustic reverberation control tiles, with the rear walls covered in 50mm absorbative materials. The amplifier power in each auditorium, apart from Cinema 4, is 2400 watts. The State was the first cinema complex in New Zealand to use JBL's design programme to match the speaker systems precisely to the characteristics to the auditoriums.

The heart of the State Cinema Centre is the projection room. It is equipped with computer automation systems from the United States. The projection room also has four platters, two three-deck, and two five-deck systems, enabling up to 12 complete movies to be made up ready to go at any time. The cinema is eqipped with Dolby Stereo. A large window facing the foyer area allows patrons to see the projectors and film system operating.

Date Opened: 1936
Opened as Multiplex: 27 August 1992
Location: Trafalgar Street, Nelson
Operators: Amalgamated Theatres, Hoyts, Independent
Seating: Cinema 1 196; Cinema 2 138; Cinema 3 107; Cinema 4 74

© Library of Cinema Research Data 1998

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