Populous
- Populous applies architectural principles of elite training facilities to the metaverse
- PWR hopes one day the facility will become real
Sports architecture specialist Populus and Australian esports team PWR have built what they say is the world’s first elite esports training and content facility in the metaverse.
The virtual facility was built within the popular Fortnite video game title and allows PWR players to train wherever they are in the world. The facility also allows for interaction with the organisation’s wider community.
Populus has a long history of designing major sports venues around the world, including Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, and the Sydney Olympic Stadium (now Accor Stadium) in Australia, while it has also built elite training facilities and dedicated esports arenas.
In constructing the PWR Facility, Populus has applied many of these design principles into the digital world, reflecting the growing maturity of esports organisations and their requirements.
“You get a sense of journey and anticipation when arriving at the PWR Facility,” said Al Baxter, senior principal and architect at Populous.
“There are key spaces like the multi-functional event area, [PWR founder Lachlan Power’s] office, the boardroom, broadcast and VR streaming studios, the content creator’s editing suite and esports gamers training space on the upper level which is all connected to the central space. On the ground floor is the merchandise area and operational spaces.”
Eventually, it is hoped the facility can be replicated in the physical world.
“It is intrinsically designed to exist and be experienced both in the virtual world and one day we hope to see it built in reality,” said Power. “Professional gamers, esports athletes and content creators need places that promote their long-term growth and development. In creating the PWR Facility we acknowledged the need to create intentional spaces that promote the health, wellbeing and performance of our people.
“From the gymnasium to the active social areas and the cafe, we wanted to demonstrate that this facility has been designed by a team specialised in creating elite training facilities so that we can optimise the performance and creativity for our athletes and creators.”
