I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you aware of your surroundings as you play, or is your focus solely on the table?
Is chess instruction something that people desire, I am sure that if this is something that people tend to want it could easily be incorporated. Is there generally much demand for such things?
If so, what format might this take, do people tend to learn through watching others play, or is it more of a holistic / theoretical attitude to game play?
And if I was to ask what ethereal qualities you would associate with chess what would they be?
I realise its an abstracted question but I am intrigued to know your response, whatever it may be.
If you were to associate the place with other functions, what would you like to see?
And lastly what are people's thoughts on the evolution of chess and its complex rule/strategy base as regards newer games which have developed over a shorter time span. Would you say there are there any modern day comparisons?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
Originally posted by archessitectureOriginally posted by archessitecture
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa ...[text shortened]... s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
Do you like to play in public?
If I had the opportunity, I would.
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
In the direct playing area, I would prefer a quiet setting, similar in atmosphere to a library or museum. However, the periphery could be lively. Maybe vibrant is more of the word I would use.
Are you aware of your surroundings as you play, or is your focus solely on the table?
I don't get to play in public. But when playing at home, I am absorbed by the board and not waht might be going on around me. At least until my wife decides she's had enough of me staring at the computer and takes action.
Is chess instruction something that people desire, I am sure that if this is something that people tend to want it could easily be incorporated. Is there generally much demand for such things?
Yes.
If so, what format might this take, do people tend to learn through watching others play, or is it more of a holistic / theoretical attitude to game play?
I'm inclined to say the latter.
And if I was to ask what ethereal qualities you would associate with chess what would they be?
I realise its an abstracted question but I am intrigued to know your response, whatever it may be.
I really don't know how to answer this, so I'll leave it to the brighter intellects on the boards.
If you were to associate the place with other functions, what would you like to see?
This may sound daft, but proper comfort facilities. A cafe would be nice, too.
And lastly what are people's thoughts on the evolution of chess and its complex rule/strategy base as regards newer games which have developed over a shorter time span. Would you say there are there any modern day comparisons?
Contract bridge may be the closest comparison. Chess is a study in objectivity. Unlike poker or figure skating, there really are no subjective elements. Both players start with the same resources and nothing is 'hidden'. There is no luck element. A move is either good or bad.
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
Great questions. Rec'd.
Originally posted by archessitectureits fun if theres space for a few people to watch, but loud noises and distractions get old real fast.
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa ...[text shortened]... s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
as far as playing in a room goes, do the same thing as casinos do... it was shown people spend more in lower ceiling (tucked in feel) casinos. this is due to feeling save..
when youre playing chess you want to get into a zone and be in your own world. so if you would be able to make it have different sections i think people would enjoy many long games.
im sorry i couldnt think of any more but i hope you do well and make many players happy 🙂
Originally posted by archessitectureNo
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa ...[text shortened]... s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
Originally posted by archessitectureInteresting thread with thought provoking questions. Please forgive a categorical play of mind but still seem to work best spontaneously
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
thinking aloud. Let's list most to least favorite environments first, then try to figure out why: (1) By a warm fireplace. (2) At an outdoor
coffee shop table near a fountain. (3) A well landscaped park (sans unleashed dogs). (4) In libraries with prison inmates. (5) In large
halls with long crowded tables (all the woodpushers cheek to cheek). (6) On trips in the back seat of an automobile with a small plastic
travel peg board. (7) RHP correspondence chess. The conditioning of many decades of over the board three dimensional play has made
the transition to a two dimensional screen difficult. Gradual vision impairment hasn't helped. (8) Solitary chess within an MRI Chamber.
Two scans several years ago. Both times fought the claustrophobia thinking about pleasant things (including interesting books, enjoyable
chess opponents, reconstructing memorable games). Fireplace log flickering, fountain arcing, birds flitting, cell doors clanging for some
reason seemed to represent a welcome and beneficial momentary distraction from the rigors of concentration. Casual conversation adds
much to the experience. No inlaid wood or ivory boards. Worn beige and green vinyl boards only and weighted Staunton pieces, please.
😉
Originally posted by archessitecturePostscript: An oversize constantly changing wall screen 'visualizer' or two might add an interesting indoor complement to decor, especially
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa ...[text shortened]... s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
if such displays are driven by sounds in the room. If so, could frame them as contemporary artwork entitled, "Your Brain Playing Chess."
😀
Originally posted by archessitectureDo you like to play in public?
I am an architect and currently designing an urban chess space in central London.
I am wondering what qualities would be best for such a space and I think you lot would have some interesting qualities. It will be both interior space and public / outdoor space.
Do you like to play in public?
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
Are you awa ...[text shortened]... s?
Love to know these questions and any other suggestions you may have.
Thanks in advance
whenever ppl are playing outside yup.
Is a quiet or lively ambiance best?
both, indoors best being quiet, outdoors best being lively.
Are you aware of your surroundings as you play, or is your focus solely on the table?
If timed games im oblivious to my surroundings, if chill games without time yes.
Is chess instruction something that people desire, I am sure that if this is something that people tend to want it could easily be incorporated. Is there generally much demand for such things?
not in public no, privately yes. But noones willing to pay for it, when you can buy chessmaster for any game console and be taught by Waitzkin for 8 bucks.
If so, what format might this take, do people tend to learn through watching others play, or is it more of a holistic / theoretical attitude to game play?
PPL learn thru playing and losing to better players. Watching is rarely a way to learn as the beginner chess player is often baffled by moves early on and loses focus and gets lost.
And if I was to ask what ethereal qualities you would associate with chess what would they be?
warmth, relaxation.
If you were to associate the place with other functions, what would you like to see?
coffee, local art, local music, nothing mainstream.
And lastly what are people's thoughts on the evolution of chess and its complex rule/strategy base as regards newer games which have developed over a shorter time span. Would you say there are there any modern day comparisons?
my fave games that are strategy based, pente, risk, backgammon, and thats about it. Nothing compares to chess though.
Some suggestions, try to keep it bright inside, but not with artificial light. Use vibrant lively colors, no blacks and whites, theres enough of it on the board.
word
I'm wondering, is the space you're designing exclusively for chess?
imo, let alone the spatial configuration you wish to have, you have to consider the demand for chess in central london, i.e. the type of clientele who wants to play chess. For instance, if the majority of chessplayers in the area are, say, old people, then it would be more suitable to design some sort of complex that offers not only chess equipment, but also whatever old people like. Perhaps they need an outdoor public place to stroll around or whatever.
Basically, whatever you design, the building has to be functional "programatically".
Thanks everyone, the answers are all really useful.
As regards the building programme, this is not set in stone as the project is only in an early feasability stage at the moment, although the ddeadlines are appearing quickly.
It will certainly be functional, this really is the basic function of architecture, but thankfully not the only one.
The building is intended to be a public space, and the incorporation of an educational element, whether this be a library, lecture space or possibly something else, will almost certainly be a focus.
However, the personal interest of the project is one concerning the non-consumptive role of chess as a leisure activity. Possibly quite pertinent given the current financial situation. Scrabble was itself invented during the Great Depression.
Lastly, and please don't feel obliged to answer this, does chess have a dominant age group?
As I have found that although this varies, I have an idea of this in London, but i am interested what the international perspective may be.
Thanks again.
Originally posted by archessitectureA bell shaped curve distribution I would imagine, with routine 20's and 30's retail/spending demographics clustering
Thanks everyone, the answers are all really useful.
As regards the building programme, this is not set in stone as the project is only in an early feasability stage at the moment, although the ddeadlines are appearing quickly.
It will certainly be functional, this really is the basic function of architecture, but thankfully not the only one. ...[text shortened]... this in London, but i am interested what the international perspective may be.
Thanks again.
within the center 67% baseline with a few early teens and old codgers loitering around out at the 3-sigma opposites.