ole scheeren's floating cinema goes to venice

‘archipelago cinema’ by ole scheeren, venice, italy image © ole scheeren

floating on a geometric island about fifteen meters from the docks, ole scheeren‘s ‘archipelago cinema’ at the 2012 architecture biennale in venice is a buoyant assembly of protruding and receding floor planes which provide dynamic seating surfaces for a variety of viewing experiences. parallel wood planks compose the walking paths, while the raised platforms show an angled orientation, using the timber members to delineate stationary areas and circulation. edges glow with a soft light, accentuating level changes and outlining seating areas. as a semi-remote site only accessible by boat (or swimming, for the adventurous movie-goers) is serviced by a small bar and restrooms on the opposite end, both under their individual pergola structures.

see designboom’s preview of the ‘archipelago cinema’ in venice here, as well as the floating cinema in thailand.

‘archipelago cinema’ by ole scheeren for the 2012 architecture biennale in venice image © designboom

floating about 15 meters from the docks image © designboom

boats bring visitors to the cinema

image © designboom

raised platforms delineate the seating areas

image © designboom

image © designboom

lights illuminate the edges of the platforms

image © designboom

set within the sea surrounding the arsenale

image © designboom

theater lights illuminate the platforms at night

image © designboom

image © designboom

architect ole scheeren

image © designboom

opening speech by ole scheeren at the floating cinema opening