Working with renowned theatre designer Dave Tanizaki, GFBA Architects completed the architectural documents for the Edwards 12 Cinemas in Costa Mesa in the summer of 1996. Because the complex is located on the upper level of an upscale factory outlet mall, GFBA was faced with significant structural issues regarding the theatre slopes as well as complex exiting challenges. The slope and sight-line issues were solved utilizing stadium seating, at that time a comparatively new design concept for theatre seating. The exiting problems were addressed using a series of sound-proofed exit tunnels and corridors that provided egress to the street level below. The spectacular entryway and marquee is an outwardly sloping glass and steel radius over the box office with a majestic, upswing at the roofline reminiscent of Saarinen’s famous TWA terminal at Kennedy airport.