Moscow, Russia
Year
2020
Size
550 m²
Esports venues are a relatively new type of commercial interior, and they require a very different approach from conventional leisure spaces. Technology is central to the experience, but a successful gaming venue is not simply a room filled with powerful computers. It needs atmosphere, identity and a layout that works for the way people actually play, compete and spend time together.
At Yuliya Forrest Interior Design, we have practical experience designing gaming and esports venues, including several dedicated gaming projects developed around PC gaming, competition and social interaction. We approach these interiors as both technical environments and entertainment destinations, considering player comfort, circulation, lighting, acoustics and visual identity as part of the same design.
The esports sector has developed considerably in recent years, and the spaces surrounding it are developing too. Today's venues can combine competitive gaming stations with casual gaming, tournament areas, spectator screens, streaming facilities, cafés, lounges and spaces for private or corporate events. British esports facilities increasingly reflect this broader model, functioning not simply as places to play but as social, competitive and entertainment hubs.
A gaming centre has an unusual relationship with its users. Players may remain at a workstation for several hours, often surrounded by screens, equipment, sound and other people doing exactly the same thing. Comfort therefore matters enormously.
The position and spacing of gaming stations, ergonomic seating, screen distances, circulation and personal space all need to be considered from the beginning. Lighting needs particular care. Gaming spaces naturally require controlled ambient light, but simply making a room dark and adding coloured LEDs rarely creates a sophisticated interior. Screen glare, contrast, wayfinding and visual comfort all have to work alongside the atmosphere.
This is where interior design can give an esports venue a much stronger identity. Integrated lighting, architectural details, graphics, materials and carefully controlled colour can create a sense of energy without overwhelming the space. The technology should feel as though itbelongs within the architecture rather than having been installed after the interior was completed.
Acoustics are another important consideration. Dozens of players, mechanical keyboards, conversations, game audio and spectator activity can quickly create an uncomfortable environment. The selection of surfaces, ceilings, partitions and acoustic materials can help manage sound while becoming part of the visual language of the venue.
The strongest contemporary gaming venues are becoming increasingly multifunctional. British esports facilities now include combinations of gaming rooms, performance spaces, spectator areas, cafés, editing and production facilities, wellness areas and event spaces.
For a commercial operator, this creates interesting design opportunities.
A gaming centre can include different levels of experience within one interior: an open PC gaming area for everyday use, more private spaces for teams, a tournament zone, console gaming, a lounge or café and areas that can be used for events. A larger esports arena may also require spectator seating, large-format displays, broadcasting or streaming areas and spaces that can change according to the event.
These different functions need to feel connected, but they do not necessarily need to look identical. A competition area can be more dramatic and visually intense, while a lounge or café may provide a quieter contrast. Private gaming rooms can offer another level of comfort and exclusivity.
This variety can also help a venue appeal to a broader audience. Competitive players may be at the heart of the concept, but gaming venues can also attract casual gamers, groups of friends, corporate events, parties and spectators. Current UK esports venues are already using their spaces for tournaments, workshops, parties and corporate events alongside everyday gaming.
Gaming interiors are often associated with black walls, neon lighting and futuristic graphics. These elements can work, but they should not automatically define every esports venue.
A strong concept starts with the brand and its audience.
Some venues benefit from a high-energy, immersive environment. Others may require a cleaner and more architectural approach. A premium gaming lounge can feel sophisticated and comfortable, while a tournament-focused esports arena may need a much stronger visual identity that works equally well for players, spectators, photography and streaming.
This distinction is becoming increasingly important as gaming moves further into mainstream entertainment. British Esports describes its National Esports Performance Campus as an esports and entertainment complex, while its new arena has been conceived for competitive gaming alongside live and other events.
The interior therefore needs to work beyond the gaming desk. Entrances, reception areas, corridors, lounges and spectator zones all contribute to the identity of the venue. These are also the spaces that appear in photographs, social media and event coverage, making the physical environment part of the brand.
Results
Yuliya Forrest Interior Design undertakes gaming and esports interior design projects in Scotland, across the UK and internationally
Our previous experience designing dedicated gaming venues gives us an understanding of this unusual commercial environment and the balance it requires between technology, ergonomics, atmosphere and visual impact.
Depending on the project, our esports and gaming venue interior design services can include concept development, space planning, gaming station layouts, lighting and electrical planning, furniture specification, bespoke furniture and joinery, material selection, acoustic considerations, branding integration, 3D visualisation and detailed design documentation.
For larger venues, the interior can also be developed around tournament areas, spectator spaces, streaming and broadcasting requirements, lounges, cafés and other supporting facilities, working alongside the relevant technology and specialist consultants where required.
The objective is not simply to create a space that looks futuristic. It is to design a gaming environment that people enjoy using, recognise immediately and want to return to.
