Set to begin construction this summer, the 65,000 square-foot Fusion Arena is set to be the nation's first built-from-scratch professional video gaming arena.

The planned Esports Stadium Arlington may be larger, but Philly's Fusion Arena will be a space designed and built with esports in mind. "The 65,000-square-foot Fusion Arena will host home games for the Philadelphia Fusion, the professional nine-person team in the 20-team Overwatch League," Claire Tran writes.
The arena will cater to a growing market. "An estimated 250 million people watch esports, although most do so from the comfort of their homes. Global revenue is slated to hit $1.1 billion this year, and the industry is growing into a more social, spectator sport." Populous, the firm designing Fusion Arena, was also behind major traditional sports facilities including Yankee Stadium, Nationals Park, and Gillette Stadium.
While similar arenas already exist in Asia, Fusion will be the western hemisphere's first purpose-built esports venue. Tran discusses some of the design considerations that distinguish a dedicated esports facility from traditional sports venues, like better sight-lines to screens, soundproof booths for players, and common areas to let spectators stretch their legs during marathon competitions.
FULL STORY: How to Design an Esports Arena

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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