Gensler partnered with TOCA Social to create a new and exciting leisure and hospitality offering centred around the globally adored phenomenon, football. TOCA Social had a vision to create a totally new entertainment concept that would transform the way we come together to socialise and play. The accessible and interactive football-based games give players of all ages and abilities the chance to ‘kick it’ with their friends. Gensler previously collaborated with TOCA Social to establish a Concept Blueprint for a ‘first-of-its-kind’ football-based entertainment offering. Components of the prototype were applied to their new space located in London’s iconic O2 Arena. The venue boasts bespoke interactive boxes, meticulously designed to offer unique augmented reality gameplay for people of all skill levels and a social experience behind the touchline which will be unmatched. Visitors are invited to experience the journey of a footballer through the clever play on space typologies found in football stadiums. Players enter the venue through the locker room, move through the multi-sensory tunnel and explode onto the pitch where they are immersed in the colour and energy of the game. Moreover, as the venue was designed with the aim of bringing people back together in new and interesting ways, the range of engaging group activities the project provides goes beyond the norm. The incorporation of AI technology games and multi-sensory spaces takes the concept of entertainment to the next level, while still conveying comfort to the elements of socialization and play. The design abstracts extrude and manipulate the role of linework and colour in sport to create a dynamic space that grounds the environment in the experience of play. The language of the match comes to life in the language of the spatial experience. The venue boasts 17 immersive pitches, three world-class bars, two selfie booths, a desert room and a bathtub in the main area. It’s a night out with friends like no other and a day-out with the family they’ll never forget! It’s a true embodiment of our client’s vision and appeals to a wide audience whether football fans or not.
TOCA Social @ The O2
Gensler
Bronze
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Jan Clostermann
Founder and Director
at CLOU Architects
7.5
7
7.5
7.5
7.38

Jason Chan
Founder
at Jason Design Group
6.92
7.33
7.23
5
6.62

Justine Fox
Founder and Colour Specialist
at Studio Justine Fox
The palette brings a balance of spi...
6.62
7.55
6.5
5
6.42

Bin Ju
Founder and Chief Design Director
at Horizontal Design
5
5.46
5.86
5.86
5.55

Maja Bernvill
Creative Director
at Specific Generic
6
6
6
6
6

Marie Hesseldahl
Partner and Head of Interior and Product Design
at 3xn
7
7
7
6
6.75

Constance Guisset
Founder
at Constance Guisset Studio
7
7
7
7
7

Marie-Andree Busque
Director Interior Architecture
at Sid Lee Architecture
7
8
8
7
7.5

Sanchit Arora
Principal Architect
at Renesa Studio
7
7
7
7
7

Adi Utama
Global Office Development
at JetBrains
5
6
8
5
6

Islam El Mashtooly
Creative Director
at OBMI
7
7
7
7
7

Liyun Hao
Founder and Design Director
at EVD
6.77
5
6.04
6.12
5.98
Designer
Client
TOCA Football
Floor area
4000 ㎡
Completion
2021
Interiors - Full Services, Architecture - Prototype Design