The Academy

the

acadamy

creating connections within caledonian road USING videogames isabelle castro BA:ARCHITECTURE:SPACES AND OBJECTS STAGE 3 PORTFOLIO 2015

T H E

A C A D A M Y

The Academy is a video gaming academy which aims to use the plurality and ice breaking nature of video games to make connections within the two sides of Caledonian Road. It provides workshops in all aspects surrounding the creation and promotion of successful video games, as well as spaces to practice and watch video gaming techniques, networking and conference spaces, official tournament areas for professional championships and a healthy food kiosk.

The design concept mirrors the need to escape from reality that is seen in a lot of people who play games, and stems from the video game – Minecraft. Minecraft creates conditions where, in the first few minutes of playing, gamers are encourages to use what they have on site to create structures.

The Academy is located in the middle of Caledonian Road, opposite Caledonian Road and Barnsbury Station. The site is a somewhat untouched area, densely populated by trees and with a wide variety of different terrains and gradients, which is similar to the conditions created in Minecraft. The form aims to adapt to site, so extensive structural work is kept to a minimum and spaces respond to the trees that populate the existing site.

Through adapting to site, a form for the proposal was designed augmenting the experience of walking through a wood, with a sense of discovery created with winding walkways and platforms of varying heights according the the existing gradient, which in turn creates a changing set of viewpoints when walking through the proposal. The use of materials that already exist within the site, with a focus on natural materials, juxtapose the high tech nature of the activities happening inside, giving an atmosphere of virtual reality.

To the south of the site lies Bemerton Estate, one of the most depraved areas of housing in Islington, with a huge problem of youth unemployment. To the east lies Barnsbury ward, where housing prices reach beyond ÂŁ1 million, and is home to a large proportion of residents with high flying careers. The two areas currently rarely interact.Through using theAcadamy due to common interests in playing video games, the two social groups interact and can learn from each other, with an aim to inspire the youth of Bemerton Estate, by exposing them to career paths and developing skill sets they were previously unaware of.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: page 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11 12-13 14-15 16-17 18-19 20-21 22 23 24 25-26 27 28 29 30-31

contextual analysis analysis of users agenda - the power of gaming agenda - progression through the acadamy Design concept - MInecraft Locating the proposal Site analysis model development of the building modules full proposal section full proposal strategic plan axonometric section building module plans building module sections building module north and south elevations area focus interior views user experience

Founded in Paris

meltdown aNALYSIS Meltdown is a bar that breaks from the norm in Caledonian Road. On analysing a variety of pubs and bars along the road it was apparent that all were tailored to specific clientele.

Some targeted those who lived on the West side and the estates, and others, with their prices and decor aimed to attract clientele from the more affluent parts of the area.

Additional bars opened subsequently

Playing in tournaments

Socialising

Watching Tournaments

Founders

BEER ÂŁ2.50

Meltdown focused on those who were passionate about video games and therefore had a huge variety of clientelle. Although the prices of some drinks were a little higher than other bars, the attraction of the videogame focus seemed to create a plurality in its clientelle, with locals and those from further afield all being housed within its walls.

On this page is a pictorial reference for the things that make up Meltdown.

A more in depth analysis can be found in Videos 1 and 2.

VIDEO 1 & 2

Software engineer

Average Customer Aged 18 +

Activities of the manager

Clientelle Input

Additional consoles

Food

Games

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Location and appearance

Main points of Research the spark for the proposal concept The research undertaken revolving around the esports bar, Meltdown, opened my eyes to gaming in a way I previously couldn’t have concieved.

I began to see the potential gaming had as a tool to meet other people and break down boundaries between different social groups.

" .

Having Meltdown there gives you that social interaction that may be lacking when you play a lot of video games"

The attractiveness of video games seemed to stem from the ability to achieve short term goals and the creation of an end objective, something that may be missing in the ordinary day to day lives of the players. This was as well as providing the ability to escape from the ordinary and become something ‘more’ than what they were in real life, such as a powerful wizard.

VIDEO 4

"I'm never going to be a world class athlete or a rockstar, I think that there is just part of me that wants to be the best at something "

" that is very different from any you've ever had in your life. Its like that bond you get when you go to war, although we went to war online. "

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Wants and Needs of the expected agencies.

Juxtapositions and experiences within the space that are different to those in the surrounding urban fabric

On conducting interviews with various people within Meltdown, needs of the expected agencies and practical requirements in order for the functioning of the space began to become clear and were specified on numerous occasions On analysing these needs, three were focused on in order to realise the design and programmatic concept, although all were taken into account when working out the functional strategy of the space.

An escape from reality Inspiration and mentors Future path guidance Programming workshops

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workshop

space

short term achievements can be providd by playing video games and in tournaments

A healthy eating takeaway kiosk

needed Consoles

A sense of achievement and self worth

A healthier eating reigime -Take -away food can be healthy

Marketing

A place to play games

Plotline Development Artwork and Graphics

Connections with the professional world and employment opportunities they are excited about

Character Development

Sociability A space that attracts other people to stay for a while and encourages interaction

what games need

-The components that go into the cretion of a game.

- used for workshop specification

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what gamers need

what the youth of bemerton estate need

Networking opportunities and an environment that encourages plural interaction

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through gaming with them.

Below is the meeting of Dave and Aaron. Although both individuals have completely different lifestyles they have a connection in the sense that they both enjoy video gaming. The competative nature of Esports means the two can bond over this common interest naturally before even taking into account their differences.

In this way, video games act as a threshold that is more commonly seen online, in chat forums, dating websites and online competative games usually played at home, such as Call of Duty, which uses the internet to connect to other players in the area you are situated. The anonymous pluralty of the video games breaks down social barriers and gives way to comfortable initial social interaction that can be built upon thereafter.

The power of Gaming: Demonstrating it's use as a tool for social connection

Oh Noo!! Ok, ok, we still have some time left best of three?

Hi, I think im playing you now? I'm Aaron, are you Dave?

Oh hi, yeah sit down, lets play.

Hahaha, Ok but Im still going to win.

Haha, ok well I'm going to get something to eat while I wait. Do you want anything?

Agh! okay this isn't over, I'm going to play my next match and then we will DUAL

Right! I ne after tha want?

No, I'm good, when I win we can go for a drink

Oh a pint ple thank you.

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over, next will

Right! I need a drink after that, what do you want?

So how do you know about this place?

I live down the road, just thought I'd check it out.

Thats cool though, what do you do?

Oh I had a work thing here the other month, come here regularly now.

You?

Same again next week? Let me know how that workshop goes I cant believe youd never heard of digital art!

Yeah! Im looking forward to it, you've made it sound really fun!

Oh right, lucky you! Well I...

Oh a pint please man, thank you.

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tHE QUEST FOR EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME OF THE PROPOSAL

The proposal aims to connect the users of Caledonian Road and use these connections to improve the youth unemployment of Bemerton Estate.

Video gaming acts as a neutral ice breaker - a tool that brings the two sides of Caledonian Road together. It is through this act of gaming Dave and Aaron meet for the first time. Days go by and the two meet frequently to battle to the death. They form a bond. Dave introduces Aaron to a friend of his who also comes to the Acadamy and by day works as a software developer. Aaron realises he can develop his interest into a profession and uses the Acadamy facilities to build up his portfolio and learn new skills. The two participate in the networking events at the Acadamy that Dave brings his collegues to frequently. It is through one of these evenings Aaron meets a manager of a small game development firm. Impressed by Aaron’s knowledge and vast portfolio it isn’t long before the two swap business cards. One month later Aaron sits down in his new office surrounded by like minded people and gets to work.

DAVE

AARON

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RENCE

CONFE

-FARM SPACE - 250M2 -Standard UK Allotment size

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LISI SOCIA

-Could be vertical farming as well as typical horizontal.

-Surrounding other zones as a general influence for healthy living and reconnecting the users with the origins of their food food.

ming ogram

Pr

-PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SPACE - 30M2

ience

per ENT Ex

YM EMPLO

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- Could be expanded.

- Placed near a main entrance or in an area of circulation so that it remains prominant in the forefront of the gamers’ minds

-KITCHEN SPACE - 9M2 -Could be expanded or duplicated around site -Aimed at using produce from the acadamy farm to create juices and healthy food to demonstrate to the users of the acadamy methods of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily life

-WORKSHOP and conference space - 255M2 - Computers x 10 - Large foldable desks x 10 - Pinboards (on walls) - Lightboxes x 2 - Small desks x 2 - Printers - B&W - Colour - Large format - Easels x10 - Sink - A lot of storage/ needs to be adapted to create open spaces - Life Drawing space

TOURNAMENTS

- Could be divided up and split over site

-CASUAL GAMING AREA - 94M2 - Minimum amount needed for use of consoles

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- This would be incorporated into access areas as more of a sone than a cut off space - Main “pull” factor of proposal so should be easily accessible and in view of access points i.e. the high street and/or Bemerton Estate.

-TOURNAMENT AREA - 62M2

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- Computers x 20 (double monitors per space) - Space for 30 viewers - 1 Projector - Central space

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DESIGN CONCEPT tHE CONCEPT OF minecraft Minecraft is unique in the videogaming world because it has the capacity to become whatever the player wants it to be. The desire to escape into a world where anything is possible is visible throughout the gaming community and Minecraft pushes it to its extreme, giving those who play it the flexibility to create the world they want the action to take place in. This results in many juxtapositions and unexpected parallels appearing that are not seen in the physical world.

Minecraft creates an ability to combine what we know with what we dream of, resulting in designs which push the bounderies of what can be considered a building. It is the design concept of this proposal to push these same bounderies in the physical world.

The materials

Future of storytelling 2014

The creative mode provides a huge array of materials and objects which can be then constructed into anything the player wishes with gravity only affecting certain materials, such as sand. This invites the opportunity for materials to be placed in ways that they wouldnt normally. Here I have created high rise buildings out of baked blood bricks, a material which is hardwearing enough for this use but currently not pushed to the point where it has had the opportunity to prove itself.

Below is an example from minecraft where the player has used mushroom as a structural support for suspended rooms.

Structural Principles

Structural Principles

In the technological world of 2015Inthere the technological exists many new world of 2015 there exists many new processes and systems many of which processes have only and been systems ex- many of which have only been explored in the context of what we already plored know. in the Incontext minecraft, of what we already know. In minecraft, gravity only affects some of the materials, gravity only opening affects some of the materials, opening possibilities to different forms thatpossibilities may usuallytobedifferent forms that may usually be disregarded because of the percieved disregarded difficultybecause of execution. of the percieved difficulty of execution.

Unexpected combinations

Unexpected combinations

This is the most transferable part This of theis concept the mosttotransferable the design proposal. part of theInconcept to the design proposal. In Minecraft, the basic maps on whichMinecraft, the playerthe creates basic maps their spaces on which hasthe a variety player creates of their spaces has a variety of terrains which run alongside eachother terrains andwhich switch runquite alongside suddenly. eachother This encourages and switch quite suddenly. This encourages players to position their creations players in multiple to position differenttheir terrains creations amd make in multiple the most different terrains amd make the most of each one despite being part of oftheeach sameone building. despiteThe being survival part ofmode the of same thebuilding. The survival mode of the game enhances this, as players have game to dig enhances and findthis, their as own players materials, have tousually dig and find their own materials, usually resulting in creations that are made resulting of materials in creations that arethat associated are madewith of materials the that are associated with the terrain they are constructed in despite terrain being theythings are constructed that usuallyinwould despite be being con- things that usually would be constructed from other material. structed from other material.

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In March 2015 an in London.D ulw Theichfirst of its kind in England, P icture G allery A205 its opening highlighed the fact that the video gaming culture, especially in a 6 competative sense, has risen dramatically over the past few years in England. In today’s technology driven culture, this is just one of many changes we can see in the variety of career paths revolving around computers and consoles, as becoming an esports professional athlete is now becoming an accepted future aspiration for children internationally

= The proposed site.

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May 22, 2015 18:50 Isabelle Castro University of the Eltham Palace Arts London

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Meltdown Esports Bar Thornhill Crescent

Bemerton Estate

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London is a city of many parallels and has people living side by side from all areas of the social spectrum. Islington is one of the boroughs of London where this is most apparent. Unemployment rate within the borough is one of the highest in London , yet it is also the home of many people who are earning wages beyond the national average.

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Isabelle Castro University of the Arts London

This social divide is most apparent in the area of Caledoninan Road. Situated on the border between the wards of Barnsbury and Caledonian house prices range from £450,000 to £2,000,000. It is on this road the Esports bar, Meltdown is situated.

Sandwiched between Thornhill Crescent, one of the more affluent areas of Barnsbury ward, and Bemerton Estate, one of the most depraved in Islington, Meltdown is an anomalie. As opposed to the other bars in Caledonian Road which cater towards spe© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey (Digimap Licence). FOR EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY. cific clientelle, Meltdown is targeted to all, focusing more on the love of video games Scale 1:10000 than the social status of the people who play them.

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May 22, 2015 18

Isabelle Castro University of the Arts London

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Site plan 1:500 in context mapping the trees The proposal aims to respond to the existing site and it’s features. The most prominant of these being the large population of trees and foliage, somewhat strange when regarding the surrounding area of dense urban fabric.

It is because of this juxtaposition with it’s surroundings that this site has been chosen as it embodies the part of the Minecraft concept that encourages the creation of unexpected combinations.

Within this analysis the positions of the main trees have been recorded along with their approximate canopy size. This provides a basis from which the form of the proposal can be realised.

Restrictions for building in site

The most populous tree that exists within the site is the Alder, a desiduous tree that constantly changes throughout the year.

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter.

Space aveilable to build in.

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Site Anlysis through to proposal step by step ruling The propsal for the video gaming acadamy is very resposive to its surrounding environment. The formation of the modules has come directly from a step by step analysis of the wooded area of the site with ruling implemented with each step.

1 - The first step in this sequence was to identify groupings of trees which were determined through mapping the canopies as well as the trunks of the trees and selecting those that overlapped.

2 - Restrictions for construction around the trunks were then mapped at a radius of 1.5m - the required space needed for trunks of that size. The trees have tall tranks with no additional branches until at least 6m.

3- Clearings were then determined according to the restrictions

5 - Possible points of construction were then mapped. This consisted of inserting circular areas of 6m diametre into groupings of three trees with one part open to the clearings.

Circular areas of 4m diametre were then inserted, with part overlapping those of 6m diametre- one 4m for every 6m where possible.

The aim was to connect as many of the 6m as possible, with the use of the 4m. Those groupings where this was possible have been highlighted.

4 - Possible circulation through these clearings was then made linking all to one another and then to the two possible points of entry into the site defined in earlier site analysis.

6 - The initial proposal was then developed joining three of the four areas identified together along the lines of circulation and using additional mapped 6m circles for areas such as the tournament zone and the health kitchen. These were developed with the thought that additional points of construction could also be developed in the same way as the acadamy gains popularity (an example of this is highlighted in purple)

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Structural Development through Models

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1 : 200 FULL SECTION

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1 : 200 FULL SECTION

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1:200 schematic plan zoning As the proposal is made up of modules, their zones of use are clearly defined.

Workshops and gaming console focus are paired in order to have complementary experiences

N

The workshops zones are then positioned strategically in order to create optimum environments. For example, the Occulus Rift Centre is placed nearest to the High street as it coud be used as an attraction for those who dont play vido games as much as it is more experiential. The Marketing workshops are also placed here as it is the nearest to the railway station so professionals can reach it easily.

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Life drawing workshops. An example of the workshops that take place in the second floor of the interaction modules.

The audience area of the official tournament zones.

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The tournament team pods

Kitchen and healthy food kiosk. Meant more as an outlet of food rather than a sit down restaurant or cafe, gamers buy their food here ant take them to the Interaction zones. However, there is additional seating dotted around the site in the form of chairs and tables, and timber seating mounds

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The XBox and Playstation zone. This is an example of a casual gaming area, the only thing that changes between the zones is the consoles used.

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KEY = Networking and Conference Area = Workshop Area = Casual Gaming and Training Area = Circulation within Module = Timber Seating Mounds = Spectator of Training Area = Bicycle Rack = Kitchen and Healthy Food Kiosk

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Interactive zones:

= Official Tournament Zones

= XBox and Playstation Zone - Storyline and concept creation workshops

= Public Toilets

= Nintendo Wii Zone - Life Drawing and Character Development workshops = PC zone - Programming and digital design workshops

= Services Access = Interior Walkway

F

= Occulus Rift Centre - Marketing workshops

Networking and Conference areas. These are the same throughout the interactive modules.

They consist of an open space with storeage for folding chairs and tables. The room can be arranged according to need.

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Plan 1:50 first Floor

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1:50 SECTION

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1:50 Rendered Section

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Facade focus The layers of the facade are important to the proposal as they define the use of the spaces.

They are made up of a framwork incorporating an openable window and a shutter inserted into each gap in the structure where needed, primarily in the areas where projectors and monitors are used heavily. this allows for regulation of light conditions according to the spacific activity taking place.

Structure

north ELEVATION 1 : 50

Frame inserted in

south ELEVATION 1 : 50

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AREA FOCUS COHABILITATION OF ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE MODULES.

The gaming area caters for the introvert and the extrovert, combining small and large spaces within a double height room which encourages interaction with its open plan and adaptability according to need.

Gaming Area practicing with playstations and xbox

Networking and conference area

(storage for area is under stairs to first floor)

The circulation zone between the two areas, with its cieling of varying heights created by exposed beams, disperses the sound from each of the areas, reducing the amount it will disturb other one.

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The networking and conference area is highly adaptable with storeage for additional folded chairs and tables located within the main stairwell.

discussions and networking

PC PRACTICE

spectating AND nintendo wii configuration

conferences and meetings

talks

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ome ly.

Morning, are you coming tonight?

ekly ct to o he ours was

Of course, where else would I be?

Haha, good point, well, see you there then!

AT WORK THAT DAY

Hey, guys! Check Twitter!

Cybertronics actually think they're going to win the Dota battle tonight!

...so if I do that, maybe it will catch them out with that...

Hey, you ready?

Yeah we have to wait for Aaron first, he has a workshop at 6

Wait....what the.....???!!!

Ok and then...

c to ops was had his was ome and

Lets go crush

some

SOULS

Dave usually cycles the 40 minutes to work but today it was raining ans he hates getting wet.

and e he pas-

her, ittle the the ears , he e in self

Hey Aaron, why aren't you in the workshop?

How am I supposed to get you an internship if you don't work on your portfolio? GO!

I'm too excited for the tournament!

After a long but fulfilling day, Dave takes the bus home. He thinks about how far Aaron has come since they had first met, and how much more confident he is now. It is time to introduce him to his boss and take him on his first step to the life he wants for himself. They would go to the networking even that Friday...and he just has to sign up to another tournament so he can finally beat the Cybertronics once and for all.

Let's show these guys whose boss

Man, I'm really hungry, let's go to the kitchen first?.

the Yeah we start the tournament at 7 so we won't have time later

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COMMRADES' FIGHT TO THE

DEATH

erience

e acadamy

h from Bemerton Estate. ed by an air of failure and from his father at home he was ing for a way to escape. Although a welcome distraction, her exams soon, and he didnt want to put that may result in her failing.

Don't worry Dad, I'm sorting it out.

y was built next to the estate.

t first, it was a building unlike any re, one day he plucked up enough his xbox was broken and Tito was kend.

variety of games available, and the people there he knew he had was not until he met Dave however rue potential of games and what him. Since that meeting he has and signed up to as many events s possible, although he still has a up in the morning.

Aaron gets up and rides his bike to the Acadamy. He locks it away in the bike security chest at the entrance to the building. The first port of call is to check the time of his tournamentlater on in the day- it’s a long awited event and Aaron is very excited. He then goes to one of the clinics which are housed in one of the main buildings, tody it is for programming.

He stays there practicing for two hours before grabbing a healthy lunch at the kitchen.

Son its nearly 11am, what are you doing with your life?

10:30 AM

m on a typical day for him at the

I guess I owe him one, he is the one who showed me the other side of gaming after alll. Who knows, one day soon I could be playing games for a living.

LATER THAT DAY

That afternoon Aaron attends a conference and seminar dedicated to the marketing of games. Although it is interesting he cant get the thought of that evening’s tournament out of his head and quickly goes to find Dave to discuss tactics. Dve is not impressed, refuses to talk about anything and tells him to go to the workshop he had booked

BATTLE TO THE DEATH The tournament that evening, that was housed in the tournament area, was a personal one for Aaron. One of the guys on the estate had been hassling him and they had come to settle their differences on the battlefield.

Although Aaron and Dave’s team came second, they managed to beat his team so Aaron left a happy man.

Before leaving, Aaron signs up to a networking event later on in the week. Dave’s boss was supposed to be going and Aaron wanted to impress. So, with that, Aaron leaves the Acadamy and goes back home.

Little does his family know that not only is he sorting his life out, he is having fun doing it too.

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