The Making of the Digital Lounge

• International Broadcast Centre,
  Vancouver Convention Centre
  Vancouver, British Columbia
  Winter 2010

SERVICES

• Programming and pre-design
• Interior Design
• Product Delivery
• Reconfiguration
• Furniture
• Flooring
• Signage

The CTV Digital Lounge was envisioned to be an ‘area of refuge’ for athletes and their friends and family during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Designed and outfitted by Mayhew, the lounge played host to many dignitaries, musicians and most prominently the best Canada had to offer as the medal count began and increased exponentially.

The Digital Lounge was conceived and created in collaboration with CTV. Hosted by Muchmusic VJ personality Matt Wells, the space presented as cool and contemporary and acted as the touchdown space of choice for athletes within the International Broadcast Centre as they escaped the media frenzy.

While temporary and event specific, the space successfully showcased Canadian talent against the backsplash of casual Canadiana inspired wall graphics. The Digital Lounge became a hub for the creation of on-line content and the settings created within the modest space were functional and aligned with the spirit of the Games.

MAYHEW INGENUITY

Flexible space without borders
Mayhew was approached by CTV to design an area that would feature a hybrid of interviews, conversations and entertainment within the IBC Olympic complex. Given the space had no longevity beyond the context of the Games, Mayhew stepped up to the challenge of creating an area that would be functional, and media friendly without making changes to the existing room structure.

With limited time for planning and the opening ceremonies fast approaching, Mayhew had to plan paying special attention to the choice of materials and furniture. The space had to first and foremost remain flexible given that attendance was going to be fluid and the traffic volume unpredictable.

REQUIREMENTS

CTV was looking to create an entertainment and media lounge for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. In creating the Digital Lounge, they needed assistance with:

• Creating an open flexible touchdown space for athletes without performing any structural renovation.
• Developing attractive spacial design concepts that reflected the spirit of the Games.
• Outfitting the space to support hosting the production of media content to be streamed on-line
.

RESULTS

With Mayhew’s help, CTV hosted athletes and celebrities within an inviting space, designed to be flexible and contemporary

• The space was optimized to support talent, and host tours by dignitaries and high level corporate executives.
• Although the space was relatively small, it had an open concept feel and featured multiple focal points.
• The space successfully served as the intended ‘area of refuge’ conceived by the client.
• The Digital Lounge was described as the ‘coolest room’ in the IBC complex and its content was featured prominently on www.ctvolympics.ca with over 175, 000 video views.

Key Advantages of the Design

• The space was open and flexible making it adaptable to entertainment, VIP tours, broadcast, interviews and downtime.
• Thematic hanging graphics and tactical use of curtains amd innovative furniture specification created ambience.
• The layout allowed for multiple conversational areas while also providing space for people flow, a mixing station and great camera angles

Key Specification Details

• Turnstone Campfire product creates alternate focal points using Big Lamps and rotating collaborative Paper Tables.
• Steelcase media:scape technology hub used for sharing content and images.
• Circa Lounge seating acts as focal point for Digital Lounge.
• Blackboards integrated to act as memorabilia wall for visiting athletes.
• Post and Beam affixed with Olympic themed graphics along perimeter define space.

Sustainable Design Features

• The space was temporary and reverted to its pre-design state after the Olympic Games.
• Furniture repurposed by CTV for marquee properties in Toronto.