4DX Cinemas

Background

Exclusive to Cineworld in the UK and Ireland and rapidly expanding since its launch in 2015, 4DX adds extreme sensory thrills to your cinema experience.

With stimulating effects like water, wind, scent and strobe lighting that are timed to enhance what’s happening on screen, you’ll be truly thrilled in your seat. And speaking of your seat – it moves. The high-tech motion programming means it moves in time with the film’s action, and along with vibrations and shaking, you’ll feel like you are part of the car chase; standing in the eye of the storm or steering the boat right into a tidal wave. Fun on your own, better with friends – 4DX is Cineworld’s most exhilarating way to watch a film.

Great for action-adventures and films you want to feel truly part of. Available in 2D and 3D formats.

Challenges

Installing a new 4DX screen is dependent on the auditorium. At Leicester Square the process included removing concrete and installing new foundations, wall furnishings, projectors, 4DX seats and electricals. To achieve this Cineworld collaborated with Maeve Contractors, GF Holdings, PHG Consulting, Eton, Clarke- bond, Chapman Taylor, AJR Electrical and Wilden.

“To install the seats and ensure a perfect viewing experience we had to dig one metre down into the basement at the front of the auditorium,” says Marcin Karolak, vice-president construction and facilities, Cineworld. “A lot of planning and coordination with structural engineers was needed to ensure this would be possible whilst reinstating a stronger foundation for the 4DX seats to be installed upon. The 4DX seats come in banks of four and cannot be dismantled, so bringing 36 banks of 4 down three flights of stairs with minimum space for manoeuvrability was demanding.”

Solutions

Along with the structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, the auditorium is designed to accommodate all the requirements, including a rigidly stiff stadia to withstand the synchronized movement of the whole auditorium audience and seating, along with serviceable effects bars that are accessible for maintenance and cleaning operations.

Results

4DX is widely considered to be the biggest innovation in cinematic technology to date. Providing a revolutionary cinematic experience which stimulates all five senses, the 4DX includes high-tech motion seats and special effects including wind, fog, lightning, bubbles, water, rain and scents, in both 2D and 3D formats.