This document provides information on the history, definition, and design requirements of multiplex cinemas. It begins by defining a multiplex as a building with multiple separate cinema rooms or screens. The first multiplex in India opened in the 1980s with 5 screens. Design requirements include a minimum site size, setbacks, parking requirements, and specifications for the cinema rooms themselves such as screen size and seating layout to ensure visibility. Fire safety, accessibility, and service areas are also addressed.

1. LITERATURE STUDY
ON
MULTIPLEX

2. M
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3. MULTIPLEX
DEFINITION OF MULTIPLEX(oxford): a large
cinema/movie theater with several separate rooms
with screens (or)
A building, especially a movie theater or
dwelling, with multiple separate units.
Definition(G.O): Multiplex complex shall mean an
integrated entertainment and shopping
centre/complex or a shopping mall and having at least
3 halls/screens.

4. Although definitions vary, a large multiplex with
20 or more screens is usually called a megaplex
Theatres are of different types. Now a days we
can find four types of theatres. They are
Multiplex
IMAX
Independent & second-run
Drive-in theatres
MULTIPLEX

5. HISTORY OF MULTIPLEX
•In India, the mushrooming of multiplexes started in
the mid-90s
•India's first multiplex was MARIS COMPLEX with
5 screens in it and was opened in 80s in
Tiruchirappalli.

6. The largest multiplex in India is the 16-screen multiplex
by Mayajaal in Chennai.

7. • The minimum size of plot for a multiplex shall be
3000sq.m
• The minimum abutting road width for a multiplex
shall be 18m existing.
• The abutting road has to be black-topped with
minimum 2-lane carriageways.
• Service roads are required for site abutting 30m
and above roads and approach shall be allowed
only through service road.
SITE REQUIREMENTS

8. • The width of the service road shall be minimum 7m
with 2-lane black-topped carriageway.
• An organised open space of at least 10% of total site
area shall be maintained and utilised as greenery
over and above the mandatory alround setbacks. This
could be part of the interior open space or be in one
or more pockets.
SITE REQUIREMENTS

9. Height of building Minimum abutting
road width
Minimum all-round
open space on other
sides
Up to 21m 12.2 7
Above 21m to 24m 12.2 8
Above 24m to 27m 18 9
Above 27m to 30m 18 10

10. SET BACKS
 Maximum height of block/portion wherein the Multiplex
screens are set up shall not exceed 30m
 Sites located in gram panchayat areas and outside UDA
areas, the maximum height of all block – 30m
 Heights of blocks - Min. abutting road width
30-45m - 24m
Above 45m - 30m

11. SET BACKS

12. Suitable means of entrance and exit which shall
not be :
• Less than 5m width and 2.5m in height for
use of the public and,
to access of the fire fighting vehicles in the road
frontage.
ENTRANCE&EXIT ..

13. •The parking may be provided in
basements or cellars or
on stilt floor or
in open spaces.
•For parking in open spaces, the minimum required
setbacks (except front) to be left around the building
with adequate vehicular access, aisle, drives, ramps,
required for maneuvering of vehicles.
PARKING SPACE

14. Types of buildings Parking area to be provided as
percentage of total built up area
In municipal
Corporation areas
Other areas
Multiplex
complexes
60% 50%
Cinema theatres 40% 30%

15. PARKING TYPES..

16. Multi-level parking complex adjoining to the
complex within the site may be considered provided
that a minimum clear open space of 6m from site
boundary is ensured.
Preferable to use one-way systems.
Long-stay car parks (e.g. for commuters) can have
longer parking aisles and slightly narrower parking
stalls (2.3 m), compared with short stay/rapid
turnover (2.5m).
PARKING

17. PARKING LAYOUTS..

18. PARKING LAYOUTS..

19. • At least two ramps of minimum 3.6 m width or one ramp of minimum
5.4 m width and adequate slope shall be provided.
• Basement/cellar shall be set back at least 1.5 m from the property line.
in case of more than one cellar 1 metre additional setback for every
additional cellar floor shall be insisted.
• Up to 10% of cellar may be utilized for utilities and non-habitation
purpose like A/C Plant room, Generator room, and such other similar
utilities
PARKING

20. FIRE SAFETY..
• The number of lifts in one row for a lift bank shall not exceed
4 and the total number of lifts in the bank (of two rows) shall
not exceed 8.
• A wall of 2 h fire rating shall separate individual shafts in a
bank.
• Collapsible gates shall not be permitted for lifts and shall have
solid doors with fire resistance of at least 1 h.
• lifts shafts shall have a vent at the top of area not less than
0.2 mts.

21. HORIZONTAL ESCAPE ROUTES
• For commercial buildings such as multiplexes, 18m in one
direction, 45m in more than one.
• The number of escape routes also depend on the maximum
number of people in the area under consideration.

22. NO. OF PEOPLE WIDTH OF ESCAPE ROUTES
50 800mm
110 900mm
220 1100mm
220+ Extra 5mm/person
• No staircase shall have a flight of more than 15 steps or
less than 3 step.
• The access to the theatre if it is on the upper storey shall
be provided by not less than two independent stairs of
fire-proof-construction.
• No corridor leading to any stair case or exit passage shall
be less than 1.5 m. in width.

23. MULTIPLEX REQUIREMENTS..
Type of building Maximum FAR Maximum
coverage
Cinema hall multiplex 125 40 %

24. LIFTS :
• Capacity of 13 persons are
required.

25. • A:2400
• B:2300
SHAFT SIZE
• C:1600
• D:1400
• E:2300
CAR SIZE
• M:800
• N:2000
DOORS
• P:1800PIT
• Q:4200
• H:2700
• R:4900
• S:3200
MACHINE
ROOM
LIFT DIMENSIONS
FOR 13 PERSON
CAPACITY

26. WIDTH/SLOPE OF RAMP :
• the clear width leading to the basement is 4m.
With an adequate slope not steeper than 1:10.
• for entry and exit separate ramps of clear width
of 4m, each shall be provided.

27. Theatre zone

28. • The design of the modern cinema seeks to find a
successful balance between the
• existing site conditions.
• Individual theatre size.
• raking of seats to provide an unobstructed view.
• good sound and picture quality for the customer.
• No other amenities viz; pubs , food courts, fun zone etc
are to be provide in the theatre block or portion
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29. T
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30. T
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31. T
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32. Four standard types of films are described according to their widths :
8mm,16mm,35mm,70mm.
T
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33. • room behind the screens can be installed,
or two way projection rooms for back-to-
back screens.
• Projection rooms require a separate system
of mechanical or natural ventilation, water
cooling facilities, suitable positioned lighting
and sufficient heating (or cooling) to
maintain a minimum temperature of 10°C.
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34. T
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35. T
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36. Screens
• The aim should be to use as large a screen as possible, up
to the limits defined either by given maxima or width of
seating.
• The proportions are 1:1.75 height to width and black
masking is used around the edges to preserve the
maximum brightness on the screen.
• Within large auditoria, curved directional screens were
originally developed to overcome problems of dispersion
of reflected light from flat screens.
• Modern cinemas, with better screen material, are able to
use the curvature of the screen to reduce the amount of
apparent distortion to side sight-lines.
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37. • Screen construction is generally pvc or metalized
fabric stretched over a metal frame. It should be
remembered that the surface will deteriorate over
time.
• A minimum depth of 1.35m is required behind the
screens for the installation of speakers.
• the number and position of which usually depends
on the type of sound system and the size of the
auditorium.
• Space must also be left for the tabs (curtains) and
mechanical systems to the side of the screen.
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38. T
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39. T
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40.  p = lowest and nearest point on stage
clearly visible by audience,
 HD = horizontal distance between eyes in
successive audience rows,
 EH = average audience eye height above
floor, E height between eye and top of
head,
 D = distance from eye of person in front
row to P.
 The maximum comfortable amount the
head can be turned from the seat
centreline is 30°
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41. SOURCE: NEUFORT
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42. T
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43. • An theatre width should not exceed approximately twice
that of the screen and its length no more than three
times the screen width.
• To achieve the best sound quality the opposite surfaces
of floors, ceilings and walls should not be parallel to each
other.
• Where the ideal fan shape is not possible, singular angled
walls, raked ceilings or acoustically absorbent features
can be used.
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44. Gangways
• These should have a minimum clear width of
1.05m.
• In small auditoria (100-250 seats), a single central
gangway is sufficient.
• for medium size venues, a gangway on either side is
acceptable, causing less visual distraction.
• In large auditoria (400-600 seats) the preferred
solution is to have twin gangways set in 0.25-0.35
of the cinema width from each side.
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45. Row to row dimension and
clearway with fixed seating.
Row to row dimension and
clearway with tipped-up seating
 Minimum – 0.6m
 Maximum – 1.5m
 Minimum spacing between
rows – 0.8m
 Maximum – 1m to 1.2m
 Gangways and passages
must not be more than
6.0 m apart. No seat
must be more than 3.0 m
from gangway or
passage.
 A gangway or passage
must be at least 1.2 m
wide and they shall be
provided at least one in
the centre and one on
each side.

46. Additional accommodation
• Other requirements in the design layout of a cinema include:
 plant room.
 staff rooms and facilities.
 cleaners' store.
 manager's office.
 film store.
 kiosk stock room .
 refrigeration for ice creams.
 projection booths.
 a treasury secure cash room.
• Multiplex cinemas now combined with other commercial and
leisure activities such as shopping malls, computer games arcades,
virtual reality centres, bowling alleys etc.
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47. SERVICING FACILITIES
• Projection rooms Traditionally these were divided into separate
compartments they are:
 rewinding and projecting film.
 dimmer room or sound and light control room – 2mx3.5m
 battery room.
 spotlight room – 3.9mx7.5m
 Workshop.
 store room ----------- each forming a 6-10m2.
• Automated systems currently in use include projection areas with
rewinding benches, sound equipment, dimmer and switch facilities.
• To cater for future trends, a minimum area of 5.5 x 4.0m per screen should
be allowed, with a minimum ceiling height of 2.6m.
• Continuous playing equipment enables one operator to control several
screens. In multiplex cinemas, a long continuous projection.
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48.  The minimum sizes of projection rooms are:
 Minimum equipment: 3.9 - 4 m,
 With effects lantern and spotlight: 3.9 - 7.5 m,
 Typical commercial cinema: 6.6 - 7.3 m.
 Floor-to-ceiling height should be not less than 6.4 m.
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49. Public areas surrounding the theatre zone
• The public areas are important in conveying an image of class and
comfort to customers and the decor should therefore be attractive
and designed to high standards.
• The space may include :
 payment booths.
 advance booking facilities.
 ticket machines.
 refreshment kiosks.
 merchandising stalls.
 forthcoming film advertising.
 information on current screenings.
• There should be sufficient room for queuing comfortably and clear
signage to public toilets, theatre entrances etc. Suitable access,
toilets and lifts are required for visitors with disabilities.
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50. ACOUSTICS
Fan shaped seating with racked chairs for viewing
and hearing.
Projection screen and the loud speakers behind it
should be at a height enough to cover entire
audience.
Back side of the screen and surroundings of the
screen be “ Black and absorptive” to prevent light-
reflections.
Projection- Booth&Noise should not enter audience
section, hence inside of the booth be made highly
absorbent and window- glasses be properly sealed.
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51. Directional loud speakers for balconies.
Amplifiers to be behind the screen be made
absorptive.
With stereophonic sound system, adjusted to
sound track of the film; the side- walls, flat ceiling
and the surface around the screen should be kept
more absorptive and dispersive.
Sight lines are more important as high level sound
is already provided by amplifiers.
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52. T
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For variable strength of the audience, keep
seats more absorptive.
With properly located amplifiers, deep
balconies can be provided.
Directional effect should not be confused by
reflections.
Avoid echo- producing corners and
reflections from balcony-aprons.
Amplifiers at the rear should not be closer to
the seats.

53. Sound systems
• The sound is decoded in the projection room to
achieve the effect desired for the particular film.
• Typically, five speakers are used, one being
specifically for bass sounds, and often with a sixth
as an theatre speaker.
• Very wide screens and side sound sources can
produce acoustic problems.
• generally for cinemas reflected sound paths should
not exceed direct paths by more than 15m.
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54. General servicing
• Illumination of seating areas and gangways is required during the
film programme but none of the light should fall on the screen or
walls.
• Acoustic separation is necessary at entrances to each theatre and
also between the projection rooms. At entrances, this is achieved
with lobbies and sound reducing door sets.
AIR CONDITIONING :
• The recommended working temperature of the projection room
is 18°C.
• The location of the AHU(air handling units) has been sited in 3 broad
areas – adjacent to the screen.
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55. • Shopping areas,
• Food zone, and
• Gaming zone.
AMENITIES

56. shopping zone

57. Limitations on travel distance (maximum travel distance)
One direction: 18m
More than one direction: 45m
Planning Guidelines:
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Structural models width(m) notes
Small shops 5.3 to 6.0 mostly 5.4m
Large-space users 7.3 to 9.2 depending on beam depth single-
storey-Spans
Clear ceiling height to underside of
beams
Small shops 3.3 to 3.8
3.2 to 3.6
Sales area
non-sales area
Larger- space users 3.6 min with foolr : floor spacing 4
to 5m

58. S
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GOODS & SERVICE DOCKS MTS NOTES
TYPICAL PROVISION FOR LARGE SPACE USER
TWO 15M ARTICULATED LORRIES:WIDTH
10.7 ALLOWING 1.5M ON EACH SIDE
MINIMUM CLEARANCE HEIGHT 4.7 APPROACH ROAD 5M
Storage & display racks
for clothing shops

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60. S
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61. S
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62. Standard/ minimum sizes for
window/ retail shops
Single customer aisled Length Width
Larger cities 50’-60’ 12’-15’
Smaller cities 60’-80’ 15’-18’
Height
Basement 8’-9’
Ground floor 12’
If mezzanine floor is included >7’6”
Height from mezzanine floor to ceiling level Minimum of 6’6”
Width
Aisle 6.5’
Subsidary aisle 3’
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63. S
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64. S
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65. S
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66. Food zone

67. Food courts are most common amenities
provided in any of the multiplexes or malls.
Interior spaces of a food court can be divided
into 3 major areas:
Dining area
Kitchen
Pantry and
Storage area
Restaurants and Eateries F
O
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N
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68. •Dining constitutes major area in the food court and kitchen
should be 50% of dining area while storage can be 1.5-2 times
that of kitchen.
F
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69. F
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Dining area Height of the room
<50m2 2.50m
>50m2 2.75m
>100m2 3.0mm
Above or below galleries >2.5m
Type of restaurant Space required per
person(m2/person)
Snack bar service 1.5-2.2
Cafe service 0.83-1.5
Coffee bars 1.2-1.4
Self –service 1.4-1.7
Kitchen for restaurant 0.3Xno. Of covers

70. F
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71. F
O
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Baker’s shop-plan
C- Cash
Register
W- weighing
machine

72. Baker’s shop- section F
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73. Hang-out spaces

74. These include:
•Bowling alleys,
•Convention centers
•Pubs, and
•Gaming zones

75. G
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76. G
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77. G
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78. Skittle and bowling alleys can be divided into the
following areas:
• The run up, in which the ball is bowled after a few
approach steps and it is approximately 4.-m long
•The lane, the surface along which the ball rolls and it is
approximately 18.30m long
•The catching pit, in which the fallen skittles/pins and
balls are collected it is approximately .60m long
Bowling alleys
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79. BOWLING ALLEYS
G
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80. BOWLING ALLEYS
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81. Materials used for bowling and skittle alleys are:
•Tiled or wooden flooring with not so smooth
finish but with glossy look.
•Run ups are made from sanded parquets,
•And lanes from polished or varnished parquets,
even asphalt, plastic and wood is used for lanes
though they must be highly polished.
G
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82. Most of the pubs have:
•Bars (drinking areas)
•Food serving areas
•Pub games.
H
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83. TOILETS
FOR CINEMA HALLS IN MULTIPLEX(NBC)
FIXTURES PUBLIC
MALE FEMALE
STAFF
MALE FEMALE
Water-closet 1 per 100 upto400 3 per 100 upto 200
Above 400 add 1 per above 200 add 1 per
250 and part thereof 100 and part thereof
1 for upto 15 1 for upto
12
Urinals 1 per 25 ---- nil upto 6
1 for7-20 ----
2 for 21-45
Wash basins 1 per 200 1 for upto 15 1 for
upto12
Drinking water
fountains
1 per 100 persons 1 per 100 persons
Cleaning sinks 1 per floor 1 per floor

85. REFERENCES:
 T.S.S
 ARCHITECT’S HAND BOOK.
 NATIONAL BUILDING CODE-2005
 G.O – 486
 WIKIPEDIA.
 METRIC HANDBOOK