What goes into designing a collegiate esports facility?

The 70,634-sf Ferguson Student Union building at Arkansas Tech University (ATU) has just been completed. Replacing the former student union built in the 1950s, the new facility aims to bring students and the community together in a variety of ways.

Designed to enhance community engagement, the Ferguson Student Union includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, offices to support student associations, and another amenity that caught our eye: a modern esports lab.

Designing Esports Facilities on University Campuses

MBL Architecture, the architect-of-record for the new student union building, utilized student feedback when planning for the new space.

"ATU was proactive to have student involvement in almost all facets of the programing and design," said Audy Lack, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, MBL Architecture, in an interview with Building Design+Construction. "Even beyond the student involvement, university administration was interested in esports from the very beginning as a recruiting tool for technologically advanced students."

Gaming stations are set up throughout the esports space. The walls are lined with acoustical materials that make it emulate a state-of-the-art recording studio. In fact, sound/noise control is paramount in spaces like this, according to Lack. 

"The interior designers from SmithGroup did a tremendous job in selection of wall and ceiling baffle materials to deaden the room," said Lack. "This makes for a much more comfortable, and therefore enjoyable immersive experience."

Additionally, the venue was built with a communal viewing lounge to host intercollegiate competitions. A competition room where two teams can square off against each other, while broadcasting the live feed to the viewing area, was also developed.

This new student union will act as a recruitment tool for future student gamers who are looking for colleges that accommodate their passions for esports. The facility also ties in with the school’s academic programs in computer coding and its long-term donor outreach strategy.

By taking feedback from students in the planning process, the architecture firm was able to design the facility to meet the needs of those who use and work at the complex. Several amenities include:

• The esports lab
• Student organization offices
• Living room lounge
• Gaming lounge
• Dining area
• Cardio and free weights gym
• Group fitness studio
• Multi-purpose courts
• Outdoor recreation and bike repair
• Food service
• Event space
• Meeting rooms
• First aid room

“Recognizing the importance of esports in the college community, this facility gives way to greater retention and a reach-out to students who have a different sports focus,” said Lack.