Project background 

A newly completed family home has been brought to life with an immersive home cinema and extensive Rako lighting control, combining high-performance technology with a considered interior design.

At the beginning of the project, the homeowners knew they loved films and wanted a dedicated cinema, but had never experienced what a professionally designed home cinema could offer. Owen Maddock, owner and designer at Cinemaworks, suggested a visit to his Bristol demonstration room to experience the difference first-hand. Unlike cinema rooms the family had previously seen, where technology such as projectors and loudspeakers remained visible within the space, the demonstration showed how carefully considered audio, video, lighting and interior design could work together to create a truly immersive environment.

The experience quickly shaped the direction of the project, “the demo was really the starting point,” explains Owen. “As we went through different clips, you could see their reaction change. Once they had experienced a properly designed cinema, they understood what was possible and knew that was the level of performance they wanted to achieve at home.”

Flexibility During Installation

One of the most interesting aspects of the project demonstrates the flexibility that comes from combining Rako’s wired and wireless technologies.

The four-storey new-build property predominantly uses a Rako wired lighting control system, with control equipment located in dedicated hubs in the basement and on the top floor. This keeps cable runs practical, equipment accessible for future servicing and the control hardware away from the main living spaces.

Initially, four dimmed circuits had been allowed for the cinema during electrical first fix. However, as the lighting and interior design developed, the team identified the need for an additional circuit.

Alongside the wall and ceiling feature lighting and main downlights, a small light above the cinema door was introduced to provide useful low-level illumination, particularly with young children regularly using the space.

Rather than compromising the finished lighting scheme, the project team adapted the original design using Rako’s wireless technology.

One of the wired feeds was changed to a permanent live lighting circuit, which Louise and Johnny Tarling of Louise Tarling Limited then used to supply two Rako wireless dimmers. These independently control the main downlights and new doorway light, integrating seamlessly with the wider wired system.

“Not many lighting systems give you the freedom to adapt so easily when a project changes,” says Owen. “With Rako, we were able to add exactly what the room needed without creating a major issue at that stage of the build. That ability to combine wired and wireless control is incredibly useful.”

“For automated lighting, Rako is always my first choice. The dimming performance is excellent, it integrates easily, the keypads look great and the flexibility between wired and wireless is incredibly useful. Just as importantly, the technical support is UK-based and the team is always there when you need them.”

A Collaborative Result

The completed cinema is the result of close collaboration between the cinema designer, interior designer, lighting specialists, electrical contractors, calibration specialists and smart-home installer.

Careful coordination ensured that the acoustic and technical requirements of the cinema could be maintained without compromising the design. Loudspeaker and seating positions were carefully protected to achieve the intended performance, while the interior treatment was developed around those requirements to create a room that feels luxurious rather than overtly technical.

Fraser Besant Lighting supplied the Rako equipment, while Naz and the team at Loon Team installed the Rako system and network. Louise and Johnny from Louise Tarling Limited helped deliver the lighting installation and resolve the additional cinema circuit, while Tom from Sonyx-AV calibrated the picture and assisted with the StormAudio calibration. Interior designer Chi-Chi Baber of Lomax and Chi brought the distinctive visual concept together.

For Owen, the finished result represents an important milestone.

“This is easily the best room I’ve completed so far and I’m incredibly proud of it. Everyone came together and made the process easy. The original brief was for a cinema that could match the experience the family had in my demonstration room. In the end, we achieved something even better.”

The result is a dedicated cinema where performance, lighting and interior design work seamlessly together, creating an immersive space that is technically sophisticated, intuitive to use and designed around the way the family wants to enjoy it. The project has also earned industry recognition, with Cinemaworks named as a finalist in the 2026 CEDIA EMEA Awards.