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Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai Debuts as World's First Fully Flexound-Equipped Cinema in Yokohama

Lawson United Cinemas Minatomirai, led by project manager Mitsuhiro Shinohara, has opened its doors in Yokohama's bustling Mark Is Minatomirai commercial complex. The cinema stands out as the first in the world to equip every seat across its 12 screens with Flexound Augmented Audio, a cutting-edge Finnish technology that delivers immersive sound directly through the chairs. This innovation ensures that every audience member, regardless of their seat, enjoys crystal-clear audio and a deeply personal cinematic experience, setting a new global standard for movie theatres.

The project was realized within the constraints of an existing building, requiring creative solutions such as reusing an oval-shaped theatre previously operated as a museum and installing projectors above customer corridors due to floor-area ratio limitations. The design team, including interior designer Kei Sagara and architect Hironobu Imamura, embraced these challenges by integrating visually striking elements like spherical lighting, vibrant columns, and patterned wall finishes to create a sense of wonder and escape. The lobby features a dedicated Flexound demo space, inviting visitors of all ages to experience the technology firsthand in a welcoming, unified environment.

Technical execution involved extensive planning, with nearly 10 kilometers of speaker cabling routed through floating floors to connect dedicated amplifiers to each seat. The Flexound system's seamless integration means moviegoers feel the sound as natural vibrations, enhancing even the subtlest audio details and surround effects. The cinema's innovative approach, combined with its commitment to accessibility and comfort, has earned it the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design for 2025, recognizing its significant contribution to the evolution of the moviegoing experience.

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