NIRSA Facility Feature: Penn State University – Esports Center

Since its opening in August 2023, the Esports Center at Penn State University has become a valued part of the school’s campus recreation program, with the facility being used by an average of 190 individuals per day. In early 2024, NIRSA presented an Outstanding Facilities Award to the Esports Center, designed by HOK, recognizing its excellence in design and its impact on the students of Penn State.

Before the Esports Center was constructed, there was no dedicated on-campus place for students to gather and participate in esports together. The creation of this new facility provided students with a social setting, reinforcing their connection to the larger campus community while they also enjoyed the recreational benefits of esports. In the words of one of the reviewers on the Outstanding Facilities Award Committee, “This facility is showing the importance of recreation within college campuses. To bring people together, outside the classroom, to engage, belong, and find connection—that is what it is all about.”

The Esports Center features an open floor plan which allows for staff monitoring while also including design elements which were specifically incorporated to enhance the user experience. These include:

• Gaming desks, equipment, and seating which were chosen for their comfort and ability to adjust to the user
• Gaming stations designed to allow for connections with nearby players
• Lounge-style seating for those preferring softer furniture
• Lighting that adjusts to the user’s preference
• A display area featuring the upcoming schedule of activities
• A coaching area for competitive teams who want to hone their skills
• Large displays on the ends of the room for game casting
• An Instagram wall zone for promotions and engagement

Todd Carll, Project Manager at HOK, says, “Our favorite feature of the project was this opportunity to provide for this multi-sensory experience in a relatively modest footprint that balanced the dynamic nature of the space to set one in a near ethereal atmosphere while also managing the boundaries of those inputs so as to also be calming and comfortable allowing for longer use of the space with fellow gamers.”

In addition to its functionality, the Esports Center is aesthetically pleasing and utilizes unique materials. Punched metal panels help to distribute light while showcasing the seven values of the Penn State Campus Recreation Department. Glass windows are covered with a dichroic film which amplifies light inside the space while also providing a visually appealing view from the exterior. The exposed ceiling fits the theme of the space and also utilizes absorptive elements to help control sound levels. As another reviewer remarked, “Not a gamer…. This building makes me want to become one!”

“Winning the Outstanding Facilities Award is a great honor and speaks mostly to honoring the focus on the end user student and their experience that was designed to immerse them in an ‘all-senses’ setting which they share together in an energetic environment that develops comradery and sportsmanship,” adds Todd.

Congratulations to Penn State University and HOK on their collaboration which resulted in this functional, impactful facility. Applications for the 2025 Outstanding Facilities Awards open Fall 2024.