Theoretical Basis of a Structural Strategy for an E-Sports Gaming Centre

The structural strategy for the proposed e-sports gaming venue reflects contemporary design imperatives that prioritize adaptive reuse, lightweight construction, prefabrication, and experiential spatial quality—especially significant in dense urban environments and digitally-focused programs. The venue’s architecture responds to the functional, economic, and environmental demands of a high-performance, digitally intensive interior, while simultaneously aligning with structural engineering principles for lightweight framing, long-span construction, and prefabrication.

Adaptive Reuse and Structural Independence

The decision to avoid demolition of the existing structures aligns with growing industry focus on embodied carbon reduction, one of the most pressing challenges in sustainable construction today (Webster, 2015). By preserving existing structures and minimizing interventions, the project avoids the carbon-intensive processes associated with demolition and reconstruction (Pomponi & Moncaster, 2016). The structural independence of the new additions enables a dual benefit: the preservation of the existing building’s integrity, and the freedom to optimize new structures for span, flexibility, and architectural expression. This is consistent with design approaches that seek partial structural autonomy to accommodate programs with distinct performance requirements, particularly where long spans or large open areas (as in gaming arenas) are desired (Salvadori & Heller, 2002).

Lightweight Steel Frame and Modular Coordination

The use of hot-rolled steel for columns and beams, combined with pressed steel joists for decking, reflects a classic approach to creating long-span, column-free interiors—ideal for gaming zones that demand visual openness and spatial adaptability (Schodek et al., 2014). Steel’s high strength-to-weight ratio supports the requirement for light construction, reducing dead loads on existing foundations and facilitating rapid assembly in urban locations where site access and time constraints are limiting factors (Gibb, 1999). The grid of 6.0m x 6.0m provides a regularized module that accommodates the needs of internal gaming layouts and allows for repetitive prefabricated elements. This module aligns with the industrial and workshop aesthetic often associated with creative or technical environments (Habraken, 1988). Furthermore, the modular approach to both floor decks and roof trusses supports efficient material use, on-site logistics, and simplified detailing.

Exposed Structure and Spatial Expression

The exposed steelwork treated with intumescent fire protection emphasizes a transparent and honest structural expression consistent with modern industrial architecture and high-tech design ideologies (Banham, 1980). The visual role of structure in this context also contributes to the venue's atmosphere and branding, especially important in experiential venues like e-sports arenas where interior character is central to the user experience (Brand & Maun, 2020). The juxtaposition of small-scale steel-framed volumes introduces an architectural language of fragmentation and flexibility—well-suited to heterogeneous spatial programs such as competitive gaming, practice areas, lounges, and broadcast zones. This aligns with ideas proposed by Rowe and Koetter (1978) in Collage City, where architectural complexity and layered programs are celebrated through assembled form-making.

Roof Truss Design: Vierendeel and Sawtooth Forms

The sawtooth roof profile formed by Vierendeel trusses is a key architectural and environmental component. Vierendeel trusses, characterized by moment-resisting rectangular panels rather than triangulated webs, allow for clean, rectilinear openings—ideal for integrating rectangular glazing panels that support the venue’s lighting design (Engel, 2007). The glazed vertical faces provide diffused daylight, while the inclined opaque faces are optimized for thermal insulation and weather protection, ensuring environmental performance in a temperate climate. Additionally, the chimney-style ventilation units embedded within the inclined faces facilitate stack-effect-driven natural ventilation, contributing to passive cooling during winter and mid-season conditions (Givoni, 1998). This passive strategy aligns with hybrid ventilation design principles, combining mechanical systems with buoyancy- or wind-driven flow in high-occupancy zones (Allard & Santamouris, 1998).

Prefabricated Core Modules and Logistics

The use of storey-height prefabricated service modules is a direct response to the constraints of urban site logistics and the need for fast-track construction. Modular service cores—2.5m wide by 6.0m long—allow for transport by standard road vehicles and easy installation, consistent with modular construction best practices (Lawson et al., 2012). The prefabrication of mechanical cores supports system integration, improves quality control, and minimizes on-site labor, key considerations in high-tech venues with dense MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) requirements. Using a kit-of-parts strategy, where roof trusses, decks, and service modules follow the same dimensional logic, enhances interoperability and allows for efficient sequencing of on-site assembly. This method is particularly effective in compact urban sites where the use of courtyard spaces as lay-down and assembly areas helps to reduce construction duration and improve safety (Smith, 2010).

Integration of Structure and Atmosphere

Internally, the dark panelled finishes and low-level lighting contrast with the expressive exterior, creating a sense of immersion and drama essential for the e-sports experience. Structurally, the spatial separation between façade panels and steel framing allows for the non-load-bearing façade to be optimized independently for visual depth, lighting effects, and brand identity (Pérez et al., 2013). This layered approach to enclosure supports architectural goals while maintaining structural clarity and material economy.

Overview

The structural strategy for this urban e-sports gaming venue is grounded in the principles of lightweight construction, prefabrication, and adaptive reuse. The juxtaposition of modular steel frames, the integration of expressive Vierendeel roof trusses, and the rational deployment of prefabricated cores collectively enable a high-performance building aligned with the experiential, spatial, and environmental expectations of a technologically immersive program. This case reflects broader shifts in structural design towards flexibility, sustainability, and systematic modularity, particularly relevant in high-density urban contexts.

References

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