BUILDING EXCITEMENT
ONLINE COMES TO LIFE
POKERSTARS LIVE AT THE HIPPODROME
London , England
ONLINE POKER HAS in turn revived and harmed bricks-and-mortar casino poker rooms . The game has received more interest from online poker , but it allows players to play anywhere , so in some ways , it ’ s a wash .
The operators of London ’ s chic Hippodrome casino came up with a way to combine the best of both worlds . In partnership with PokerStars , Hippodrome has introduced the PokerStars LIVE “ gallery ,” which is used as the casino ’ s poker room as well as a site for live PokerStars tournaments .
Developed by MKV Design , the team imaginatively interpreted this interactive , online poker room into an exciting physical presence . MKV was tasked with developing a room that would embody the PokerStars online presence so it would be recognizable to website players . MKV took this idea a step further by creating a refined , pared-back ambience with a modern , tech-savvy style .
The poker gallery is situated on a mezzanine overlooking the Hippodrome ’ s ground-floor gaming areas four stories below . Located in the heart of London ’ s entertainment scene , just by Leicester Square , the casino is housed within an iconic , historic building created by renowned theater architect Frank Matcham . It was essential that MKV ’ s design was sympathetic to the historical aspects of the original
1900 structure , including the stepped , open-gallery spaces , which remind visitors of the site ’ s legendary provenance . It was here that Tchaikovsky ’ s Swan Lake made its U . K . debut , Julie Andrews launched her professional solo career , and Harry Houdini performed some of his final magic acts , among other notable milestones .
Color and light psychology were also important considerations in the interior design . A muted palette of dark grays enables players to focus better on the tables , their hands and the action taking place . Gaming tables were custom-upholstered with silver-toned baize , and carpeting reminiscent of flannel tweed helps create a more sophisticated feel . Along the back wall , a grid composed of angled “ fins ” formed from sturdy , charcoal painted metal is backlit by a wall-to-wall , internally illuminated box fitted with LEDs . The glowing , ethereal light , which emanates from the wall , helps create a subtle allusion to the idea of the digital network of PokerStars ’ virtual world . Shifts in color from yellow to red to blue have been programmed to cycle over the course of an hour , but can also be precisely timed by the operations team to create a variety of moods . Soft illumination from the ceiling soffit overhead is synchronized to adjust with that of the accent wall .
Another specification of the brief was that the use of the words “ PokerStars ” would be closely regulated . Therefore , MKV chose to weave associations with the brand into the design to reinforce the brand identity . Existing chairs have been re-upholstered with black leather subtly highlighted by the PokerStars emblem stitched into their backs with silver thread . This tone-on-tone effect , versus high-contrast embroidery , helps set the refined , urbane atmosphere envisioned by MKV .
PokerStars LIVE has proved such a success that MKV ’ s concept is being rolled out to other new sites , including the poker room just launched at the Casino Gran Madrid . Dominic Barber , associate at MKV Design , explains , “ Creating the blueprint for the PokerStars LIVE concept has been a 21st century twist on interior design . The idea of a tangible space mirroring a virtual world , rather than a website being modeled upon a physical destination ’ s brand identity , poses new opportunities for today ’ s designers . There are increasingly blurred lines between real-life and virtual environments , which opens up all sorts of creative possibilities and offers designers a wealth of inspiration .”
— PATRICK ROBERTS
OWNER : The Hippodrome Casino Ltd . and PokerStars
ARCHITECT AND INTERIOR DESIGNER : MKV Design
16 CASINO DESIGN 2013