Archipelago Cinema: Ole Scheeren's Floating Movie Theater In Thailand

Bored of you neighborhood megaplex movie theater? Then perhaps you should plan a trip to Thailand.

Introducing the Archipelago Cinema, an entire theater that floats on water. Located in the waters of Nai Pi Lae lagoon on Kudu Island, the structure was designed by German architect Ole Scheeren and showcased at the Film on Rocks Yao Noi Festival earlier this month.

In addition to the floating screen, there is a "raft-like auditorium" where the viewers -- who must arrive by boat -- can relax on large cushions and take in the film.

According to Architizer, the Archipelago was made from recycled materials.

Scheeren posted about the inspiration behind the theater, over on his website:

The thought of watching films here seemed surprising: A screen, nestled somewhere between the rocks. And the audience... floating. Hovering above the sea, somewhere in the middle of this incredible space of the lagoon, focused on the moving images across the water. A landscape of pieces playfully joined together. A sense of temporality, randomness. Almost like drift wood. Or maybe something more architectural. Modular pieces, loosely assembled, like a group of little islands. A congregation of rafts as an auditorium. Archipelago Cinema.

Now that the festival is over, it's unclear whether Archipelago Cinema is still up and running -- unfortunately, the structure will be taken down and donated to the community of Yao Noi as a playground and floating stage (so if you want to check it out you better get there fast).

For more about the project, head over to Architizer.

The Film on Rocks Yao Noi Festival was curated by actress Tilda Swinton and filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. You can check out photos of the construction and the cinema itself in the gallery below.

[via Tecca and Architizer]

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