The rolling countryside of the United Kingdom may feel a world away from the glitz of a film premiere, but within this newly built residence, a cinematic marvel is quietly redefining home entertainment. The Buzzards Road Home Cinema, originally envisioned as a space where a gym and cinema could coexist through a shared display, underwent a transformative reimagining at the hands of integrator IndigoZest and cinema designer Cinema Luxe. What began as a technically-challenging vision soon evolved into something far more refined, thanks to a client willing to rethink expectations and a team ready to challenge assumptions.
When the client first approached IndigoZest and Cinema Luxe with plans for a cinema, the concept was already in motion. The initial brief called for a commercial-style LED wall, positioned directly opposite the home gym so the screen could serve both rooms. The cinema would sit partially recessed, with front-row seating in a lowered pit and a large-format display anchoring the space. However, it quickly became clear that the original orientation compromised seating, acoustics, and overall usability.
Everything changed after a visit to the integrator’s showroom. There, the client experienced a reference-grade projection system and was convinced that a native 4K projector, paired with proper acoustic treatment, would offer superior quality and better value. This pivotal moment opened the door to a full rethink – one that would elevate the project from compromise to performance-driven luxury.
The shift from a commercial LED screen to a properly calibrated 4K projection system not only elevated the room’s visual impact but enabled a full 9.4.4 Dolby Atmos speaker layout. Careful reorientation of the room layout resolved long-standing issues in seating geometry and acoustics, while a decision to relocate the gym screen altogether freed the cinema to operate as a dedicated, immersive space.
The room was rotated 90 degrees and the double doors to the gym were removed. In their place came a large acoustically transparent screen, with full-sized speakers positioned behind it and a concealed projector installed in a purpose-built enclosure above the entrance. The change in orientation allowed the team to implement a 9.4.4 Dolby Atmos system, complete with tailored acoustic treatments, diffusion, and bass traps hidden behind a stretched-fabric wall system.
Each component was modelled and calibrated for even coverage and pinpoint accuracy, regardless of where guests sat. Technology remains discreet: speakers are hidden behind stretched fabric, the projector is concealed above the door, and HVAC is whisper-quiet thanks to a custom-built baffle wall solution.
Interior designer Sinead Kelly Herbert worked alongside APM Design & Build and the AV team to layer bespoke elements, including a stone-finished bar, CNC-cut wall panelling and bronze accents, over a performance-driven framework. Bronze lighting fixtures, a fibre optic star ceiling, CNC-cut panelling, and a stone-finished bar add warmth and elegance to the room. These elements were layered over a highly technical core, with integrated lighting scenes, HVAC silencing, and power management handled by the AV team.
Usability was key. Integrated control brings it all together: a single control platform governs everything, from watching a film to triggering ‘football mode’ that broadcasts Newcastle United matches throughout the cinema and property. When someone rings the gate intercom, playback pauses automatically, ensuring nothing is missed. From family movie nights to Newcastle United games broadcast throughout the house, the system is both intuitive and deeply personal.
This award-winning space balances elegance with impact, delivering blockbuster entertainment without compromising a single design detail. Rather than distracting from the wider home design, the cinema now reflects it. Every decision, from hidden speakers to the concealed projector, supports an aesthetic that is both immersive and understated. Today, it’s the most-used room in the house,; a social space, a sanctuary, and a statement in refined entertainment.