sundirect.lv – technology that becomes art.

Invisible Heating in a Cinema Hall – A New Standard for Europe’s Cultural Spaces

Splendid Palace is one of the most magnificent and oldest cinemas in Europe, delighting film lovers with outstanding, high-quality cinema since 1923. Over the years, it has become a home to major film festivals and creative cinema projects, while continuing to evolve and introduce modern technological solutions without losing its historic charm.

It is precisely in this setting that, on December 10, 2025, the new cinema hall “Straume” was opened — a space where classical architecture meets contemporary design and innovative engineering.

A Cinema Space for a Film with Global Recognition

This project gains special significance from the fact that the animated film Straume won the Academy Award (Oscar) in 2025, becoming one of Latvia’s most outstanding cinematic achievements on the international stage.

As a result, the “Straume” cinema hall at Splendid Palace is not merely a new space—it is a symbiosis of environment and content, where world-class cinema meets an architecturally and technologically refined solution.

When the Cinema Experience Becomes Complete

In the film industry, attention is traditionally focused on image, sound, and acoustics. However, a truly immersive viewer experience is impossible without a precisely controlled indoor climate that does not interfere with emotions or concentration. The goal of this project was to ensure that the audience does not notice the heating system, yet clearly feels the comfort.

The result is one of the first solutions of its kind in Europe, where infrared heating in a cinema hall is fully integrated as an element of art and design.

A Project That Redefines Cinema Heating

Design Brief

The goal of Sundirect was to develop a heating solution that:

🟧✓ Respects historic architecture, without introducing visible technical elements

🟧✓ Does not affect the acoustics of the space, which is critically important in a cinema hall

🟧✓ Creates no air movement, noise, or vibrations, unlike conventional convection systems

🟧✓ Integrates into the interior design as an art object, rather than an engineering device

🟧✓ Meets modern energy-efficiency requirements, thanks to the principle of radiant heating

Here, heating is not seen — it is felt.

Why Infrared Heating Is Ideal for Cultural Spaces

From a design and engineering perspective, infrared heaters offer several key advantages:

🟧✓ Radiant heat that acts directly on people and surfaces, rather than heating the air

🟧✓ Minimal impact on the indoor microclimate, with no air circulation or dust movement

🟧✓ Efficient performance in spaces with large volumes and high ceilings

🟧✓ Zonal control, allowing heat output to be adjusted to the actual use of the space

These factors are especially important in cinema halls, concert venues, museums, and other spaces with high acoustic and design requirements.

Design Freedom Without Compromise

Design Freedom with UV ART Technology

UV ART printing technology allows heater surfaces to be used as:

🟧✓ Works of art that become an integral part of the interior

🟧✓ Graphic interior accents, tailored to the overall spatial concept

🟧✓ Visual elements of a brand or narrative, enhancing the identity of the space

For architects and interior designers, this means complete creative freedom without sacrificing comfort or technical logic.

Technical Implementation:

🟧✓ 11 × SunDirect IC-1100 Plus infrared heaters

🟧✓ Custom UV ART printing, adapted to the interior concept

🟧✓ Black wooden frames, architecturally coordinated with the hall

🟧✓ 2 × Smart 2.0 Pro thermostats with zonal and scheduling control

This configuration ensures even heat distribution, high comfort, and controlled operating costs.

A Signal to the Professional Community

This project demonstrates that:

🟧✓ A heating system can be invisible without compromising efficiency

🟧✓ Technology can be aesthetic, becoming an integral part of the interior

🟧✓ Engineering can work in favor of architecture, not against it

This approach sets a new benchmark for the design and implementation of public spaces.

The “Straume” cinema hall at Splendid Palace becomes a reference point for architects and designers working with high-end public interiors.