Custom-made sofas bring Killa’s original elegance back to life

The lobby of Cinema Killa, where 1950s glamour meets soft elegance, sets the mood for visitors. As part of the renovation, the client wished to create comfortable seating areas in the lobby.

For the space, two inviting sofas were custom-made by the Palad design furniture brand. At Killa, a golden-toned aesthetic was chosen for the furniture, echoing details found throughout the theater.

The design and color palette of the sofas draw inspiration from a sofa previously designed by Palad for Savon Kinot Maxim. This strengthens the overall brand identity of Savon Kinot, in which Palad furniture plays a key role.

“We designed and dimensioned the sofas for Killa precisely according to the proportions of the space, ensuring efficient use of smaller areas. Our goal was to create furniture that supports social interaction and offers a comfortable seating option for everyone,” say Palad designers Jaana Partanen and Heikki Lamusuo.

The curved form guides movement and the gaze

For the lobby, Palad designers created an inviting corner sofa that makes efficient use of the available space while maintaining an open and light atmosphere. The rounded forms soften the sofa’s profile and integrate it seamlessly into the architectural lines of the space, giving the overall composition an airy feel.

The gentle curve of the corner is echoed at both ends of the sofa, where the seat subtly bends toward the backrest and the wall. The rounded ends complete the design in a way that feels both intentional and natural to the user.

The backrest is designed as a light, independent element that adds airiness and reduces the visual weight of the sofa. Its angle follows the same soft curve as the seat, creating a cohesive and flowing form. This solution makes the backrest comfortable to lean against while giving the piece a modern, slightly floating appearance.

“The design creates a soft sense of movement that supports the architecture of the space and keeps the sofa visually light, even in a smaller area. The curved form helps guide movement through the lobby and makes the seating area inviting, despite the limited space available,” describe the Palad designers.

The compact lobby and staircase presented their own challenges. The sofas were carefully tailored to the proportions of the space, ensuring that every visitor has the opportunity to pause and sit comfortably without the area feeling crowded.

An inviting meeting point in a compact space

For the staircase landing, Palad designers echoed the lobby sofa’s design language in a more compact form. The backrest-free structure makes the seat versatile: it can be used for a quick stop while passing by or for a short wait without making the space feel enclosed.

The sofa’s rounded forms continue the soft aesthetic of the lobby and help guide movement through the staircase just as smoothly. The curved front edges lighten the overall appearance and make the seat comfortable to use, even in a limited space. The solution makes efficient use of every available centimetre while preserving a sense of openness and flow.

Material choices are essential in a cinema environment. At Killa, the sofas are upholstered in a gold-toned faux leather that is easy to maintain and retains its refined appearance even under heavy use.

For both the lobby and staircase sofas, Palad designers selected the metal base of the Palad TUMA™ sofa, an integral part of its light and clear design language. The finish of the metal legs can be adapted to suit the architecture and interior, and for Killa, an elegant chrome finish was chosen.

Empathy makes the space truly functional

Empathy is a core principle in Palad’s design approach, and it guided the creation of the furniture for Killa. The process involved carefully listening to the client while also considering the needs and experiences of the people using the space.

“Working with Savon Kinot was collaborative and effortless from the very beginning. In a family-run business, the customer experience and the functionality of the space are genuinely valued. Every design decision at Killa was driven by the desire to serve different users and situations,” say Palad designers Jaana Partanen and Heikki Lamusuo.

The compact lobby and staircase presented their own challenges. The sofas were carefully tailored to the proportions of the space, ensuring that every visitor has the opportunity to pause and sit comfortably without the area feeling crowded. The result is a collection of sofas that respect Killa’s original elegance while making the spaces both functional and inviting.

The glamour and atmosphere of the lobby continue into the auditoriums, creating a cohesive cinematic experience. Photo © Pa-La.