Y-CLOUD

Imagining the public, gaming enthusiasts as player 1 and the professional gamers as player 2, the fusion of two different and independent individuals, or pure colors like red and green, creates a yellow fusion in an unbounded and something intangible like a cloud that symbolizes "The Game", that has no limits. "The Game" acts as the link between the two players, bridging the digital divide between them and providing a space to think and connect to the cloud to enjoy the show at the arena. The sharp-edged masses on the sides are representing the independent players that are leaning towards each other to initiate a gaming fight, engulfing the cloud in the center. 

              The name “Y-Cloud" emerged from the combination of Yellow, the key color of our project, and the cloud that represents the virtual connection of both the players. The spaces are oriented to fit in the distinct types of open-world games, with various user interfaces by creating open and flexible floor plans and volumes that can accommodate gaming exhibitions, tournaments, and gaming academy or training spaces for public and professional players. The arrangement of the masses (gaming enthusiasts as player 1 on the left and the professional gamers as player 2 on the right) as well as the floating mass across the site, implemented the connection of virtual and real-world players in relation to the open space it created between these masses.  

              On a larger scale, the site being surrounded by various sports communities allows the engagement of various players from diverse sports backgrounds and levels of expertise to experience and enjoy the games as they never did before. This was the challenge we had to take that made the gaming center the dream place for the gamers to go to where they could gather for competitions and casual gaming bouts. To accomplish this, there were many ideas, some of which failed while the others passed to develop y-cloud as it speaks today. Then, by researching and analyzing many gaming center case studies, arranging site visits, and understanding the relationship between several aspects and functions that are considered into the design approach, we understood how these impressive ideas can turn into a promising project in the future, then last touches were added to create the soul of the gaming community. 

                 Even though we oriented the building in such a way that minimized the heat and solar consumption, the materials we used played a key role in maximizing that efficiency, such as lightweight concrete and louvers were used effectively to accomplish the comfort of gamers, as well as concrete cladding panels on the exterior that were made in the UAE, providing a cost-effective and versatile design options, since in the gulf region the air is humid and therefore, it needs to be regulated correctly in the spaces. The windows were coated by the Emirates Glass EmiCool with NN coating that provides a high-performance glass coating glass to guarantee the correct product selection for every requirement. 

              Looking to the future, Y-Cloud may also be part of another media city in Dubai, and a fascinating place for entertainment, attracting visitors from all around the world to visit and experience the unique features of gaming center communities. Starting with the magnificent VR rooms that lead you to another world and create an unforgettable memory, to end with the private training tournaments that give you the freedom to play until you beat the highest scores. It builds up a gaming environment that is suitable for everyone of different ages, cultures, and expertise. In the first place, we look forward to having flexibility in our design and achieving the comfort of the user, so the first goal was accomplished from the very beginning stages of design development, this allowed us to have open spaces that are versatile can be used to accommodate regional gaming exhibitions and tournaments.