This client wanted to turn his basement 'fun room' into an upscale home theater and entertaining space. He wanted an intimate atmosphere for watching movies as well as a more open space for watching sports. The final design achieves both goals.

A riser for the rear row of reclining theater chairs provides an unobstructed view of the 119" perforated screen (the front speakers are in the wall behind the screen — just like at the cinema). The side and rear surround speakers are overhead in the soffit. Two subwoofers are hidden in the 'stage' below the screen.

A granite bar is located just behind the rear row of theater chairs. Guests can sit or stand to watch the game and the screen is large and bright enough to be seen at the far end of the room — more than 30 feet away.

The SharpVision DLP projector is just visible, mounted in a gap in the soffit. A Lutron GrafikEye dimmer controls lighting over the bar, along the theater side walls, and at the stage. Lighting can also be controlled with the handheld touch screen that operates the theater system.

Also controlled from the hand-held touch screen remote, the rear drapery 'wall' closes to create the intimate feeling of a real theater. With the drapery closed ambient light in the theater can be brought down to movie watching levels while leaving the game room well lit for playing pool and socializing.

The clever gap in the soffit provides a clean, uncluttered look while at the same time positioning the projector perfectly, so that no keystone correction is required.