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Topic: Seating arrangement

Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-15-2001 09:25 PM

We are getting ready to put new seats in our theatre. I'm working on the auditorium design and would like to ask an opinion here...

Currently there are two aisles and three sections of seats. Three seats on each side near the walls, and the center section is 6 seats wide.

I'm thinking about changing it to a "continental" design (all seats in one section in the middle) thereby placing the aisles next to the wall.

Is this a good idea? I know it is from the standpoint of sightlines (people comign up the aisle won't be walking in front of seated people), but I'm wondering if the public will mutiny on me.

The auditorium is not very big (35 feet wide) so we would have, at most, 11 or 12 seats across. Also we're in a small town, so we're not sold-out that often to where people will have to scramble across other people to get out of their rows every time.

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

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Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 10-16-2001 12:14 AM

since it is a small theater I would go for the aisles against the wall and have all the seats in the middle....I would also look at seat spacing for comfort....If the auditorium is stereo this will give the audience a better sound presentation with all the seats in the middle.....

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Dustin Mitchell
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1865
From: Mondovi, WI, USA
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 10-16-2001 01:06 AM

Eight of our twelve theatres have the three section seating you mention Mike. The middle sections are all 12 seats wide and there are no major problems with seating and exiting during the show.

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Dennis Atkinson
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 129
From: Birch Run Michigan
Registered: Feb 2000

posted 10-16-2001 06:00 AM

I guess a deciding factor would be which style is easier to clean and maintain.

Dennis

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Jerry Chase
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1068
From: Margate, FL, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 10-16-2001 09:30 AM

There is no law that seating has to be symmetrical. Consider having one side a wall aisle and the other with two or three seats before the aisle. If customers don't like one style of seating, they can sit on the other side of the auditorium.

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 10-16-2001 09:42 AM

Check your local building codes, to see the maximum number of seats allowed per row between aisles.

If you feel 12 across is too many, take a cue from the seating in a jumbo jet --- a pair of seats in each row on the outside, with the remainder in the center section. Many couples might enjoy having the pair of seats to themselves, even along the side wall, if it means not having to jump up every time someone comes in or out of the row.

I agree that choosing wide, comfortable seats (with cupholders) and lots of leg room offers many of the advantages of "stadium seating" without the expense and hassles.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
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Bob Maar
(Maar stands for Maartini)

Posts: 28608
From: New York City & Newport, RI
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 10-16-2001 11:24 AM

I agree with John, I have always opted to sit in the side sections with just two seats. especially in a narrow auditorium. Be shure to stagger seats in center section for the best sight line.

Back to back spacing should be a minimum spacing if backs are fixed more if they recline (38") or rock (42").

Also consider the chair widths. they run from 20" up to 26".

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-16-2001 11:28 AM

Darryl - That stereo separation issue is another advantage I'd thought of. Another reason I want to do it this way.

Jerry - I had thought of possibly doing only one aisle against the wall, but that wouldn't work too well in this situation because there are two "hallways" that lead into the auditorium, so I'd like to have it the same on both sides.

John - Already checked with the building codes and insurance people, no problem there. The issue of people wanting to have their own "group" of seats is the only thing holding me back on this. We already have good spacing between rows and the new seats will definitely be deluxe, cupholder, raising-armrest models.

Thanks all for your opinions. The decision-making process continues...

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John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 10-16-2001 11:37 AM

The pairs of seats along the side walls also lends itself to "group" activities -- two couples can sit in adjacent rows to socialize before the show, or parents can sit behind their younger children to supervise them.

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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 10-16-2001 01:23 PM

I am a firm beliver in Continental style seating. Just be sure that there is sufficient spacing between rows so that the average size person doesn't have to stand to allow another person to pass.

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Richard C. Wolfe
Master Film Handler

Posts: 250
From: Northampton, PA, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 10-16-2001 11:16 PM

Most of the state codes required that no one leaving their seat to get to an aisle should have to pass more then six seats. This is why most of the older theatres had no more then 14 seats per section. If you were sitting in the 7th seat in, you would have to pass six to one side, but seven to the other side. As long as you could get to an aisle passing six in one direction was good enough, but some code people felt that you shouldn'r pass more then six in either direction and therefore would not allow more then 13 seats across.

From a code standpoint, your theatre is no wider then the usual center section, and would not be an inconvenience for patrons to get in or out, especially if you leave sufficient room between rows. I believe as others have said that having the two aisles along the wall would be the best in the long run... keeping everyone seated in front of the screen, everyone walking along the sides out of view, and everyone further away from the side speakers which will enhance the surround sound. I changed one of my narrow theatres to side aisles and the patrons really liked the change... not one person ever complained about that change.

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