The proposal is a Virtual Gaming Centre situated in the heart of Leith, Edinburgh. Through the Theatres Trust’s promotion in the protection of Theatre’s around the UK, the Leith Theatre was analysed, retained and integrated into my scheme, to successfully function and accommodate guests as it once did. The chosen site is directly adjacent to the Water of Leith and situated South-West from the Leith Theatre. The buildings form naturally stems from Leith’s heritage; its docks and the construction of boats, with emphasis on the Poetic of Tectonic and structural connections, as well as its famous cycle route, for which the scheme accentuates a sense of journey and approach.

The programme aims to enhance the relationship and interaction between architecture and performance by developing the theatre of our future using a specific typology, E-Sports. The E-Sports community is emerging as one of the fastest growing sectors in the sport and entertainment industry encouraging collaboration, participation and communication skills. In aid of revitalising the dominant heritage that the Leith Theatre once was, the regeneration and advancement within the typology is key to the schemes masterplan and aspirations, and would significantly boost the economy within Leith, whilst embracing social values and bring life and vibrancy to the city.

The scheme seeks to explore how a traditional E-sports venue can be reinterpreted by redefining the gamers and fans expectations and experiences by creating a new virtual world, encouraging communities, supporters and gamers worldwide to gather through the use of advancing technology such as Virtual Reality. The Arena space and Virtual ‘Pods’ within the proposal will provide a new virtual facility, exploring new opportunities and provide a space where the gamers are able to connect with the E-sport’s fans and the young, vibrant communities they are building. The proposal features a series of suspended gaming pods, inside a heavily atmospheric arena space, where people of any age, abilities or disabilities can compete against each other in a virtual and immersive environment fairly, either digitally or physically through the ever-growing use of technology.