Computer Club Hall Design: Zoning and Ergonomics
Computer Club Hall Design: Zoning and Ergonomics
Section titled “Computer Club Hall Design: Zoning and Ergonomics”A good computer club hall solves three tasks simultaneously: maximum seats within the footprint, comfort for clients (they sit 2–4 hours), and ease of management for the admin. These goals sometimes conflict — you don’t have unlimited space. This article is a methodology for zoning and ergonomics applicable to any hall size.
Zoning Principles
Section titled “Zoning Principles”Zone 1. Standard Seats
Section titled “Zone 1. Standard Seats”The main zone — 60–70% of all seats. Standard rate, standard PC configuration.
Layout: rows along the walls or U-shaped configuration — saves space, provides clear aisles.
Space parameter: economy open-plan layout — 2–3 m² per seat (including aisles); standard club with comfortable aisle width — 3–5 m². Workstation width — 80–90 cm, table depth — 60–70 cm.
Aisles: main central aisle — no narrower than 120 cm (two people must be able to pass). Aisles behind chairs between rows — minimum 80 cm.
Zone 2. Pro / VIP Seats
Section titled “Zone 2. Pro / VIP Seats”4–8 premium seats, visually and physically distinguished. Rate 1.5–2× the standard.
Placement: far corner of the hall or a screened-off section — creates a sense of exclusivity.
Differences from standard zone:
- Better equipment (larger monitor, stronger build)
- Partitions or decorative elements visually separating the zone
- More comfortable chairs
- Optionally: dedicated lighting or branded décor
VIP economics: 4 VIP seats at a 2× rate deliver the revenue of 8 standard seats at half the seat count. The VIP zone often contributes disproportionately to total revenue.
Zone 3. Console Zone (optional)
Section titled “Zone 3. Console Zone (optional)”PlayStation / Xbox + a large screen. Attracts a different audience — friend groups, sports fans.
Placement: a separate section with sofas or armchairs, 55–65” screen on the wall.
Pricing: typically charged per 1–4 people (not per individual), which works well for group visits.
Zone 4. Lounge / Waiting Area
Section titled “Zone 4. Lounge / Waiting Area”Sofas or soft armchairs for those waiting for a free seat, or friends accompanying a player.
Placement: near the entrance or next to the bar — doesn’t consume “gaming” floor space.
Why it matters: reduces frustration from queuing (comfortable waiting), creates a social space, increases bar sales.
Zone 5. Reception Desk
Section titled “Zone 5. Reception Desk”The central management point. Design it as a “command station.”
Requirements:
- Full hall visibility without standing up
- Near the entrance — clients see it first
- Admin workstation: management software PC, POS terminal, phone
- Counter height 90–100 cm — separates the working area from the client area
What not to place near reception: server equipment (noisy, overheats), inventory storage (clutters workspace).
Zone 6. Bar / Snack Corner
Section titled “Zone 6. Bar / Snack Corner”Additional revenue and convenience for clients.
Placement: visible from the hall, near reception or along the wall opposite the entrance. Clients shouldn’t have to walk far to grab a drink and leave their seat.
Minimum setup: beverage fridge + bar counter + coffee machine. Doesn’t require much space.
Equipment: minimum — fridge, coffee machine/water cooler, microwave for heating. Maximum — full bar with a barista.
Workstation Ergonomics
Section titled “Workstation Ergonomics”Gamers sit 2–4 hours per session. Ergonomics directly affects comfort and the desire to return.
Height and Adjustments
Section titled “Height and Adjustments”- Table: height 70–75 cm. Adjustable is preferable — diverse audience.
- Chair: mandatory height adjustment (40–55 cm from floor), armrests, lumbar support.
- Monitor: top edge of screen at or slightly below eye level, 50–70 cm from the face.
Lighting
Section titled “Lighting”General illuminance at the workstation — 300–500 lux per applicable health standards. Gaming clubs often opt for darker atmospheric lighting + desk/PC backlighting.
Principle: no bright direct light on the screen (glare) and not too dark (eye strain from screen-to-dark contrast). Ideal balance — soft diffused general lighting at 150–200 lux + accent lighting.
RGB lighting: popular with the audience, creates atmosphere. Important: no flickering and not overly bright modes — these cause eye fatigue. Static or slow-transition.
Acoustics
Section titled “Acoustics”A hall with 20+ PCs running simultaneously is loud. Solutions:
- Acoustic panels on walls reduce reverberation
- Carpet or laminate flooring (not tile — echoes)
- All clients in headsets — PC noise remains, but client voices and game audio are dampened
Climate Control
Section titled “Climate Control”20 PCs under gaming load draw 9–14 kW total (including monitors) — nearly all of it becomes heat. Adding air conditioning, a bar, and lighting brings the total club electrical demand to roughly 17–24 kW; request 30–40 kW capacity from your landlord for headroom. Size your cooling to the actual heat load, not to floor area: the office rule of thumb “1 kW per 30–35 m²” doesn’t apply here — club PC density is far higher than an office. For 20 seats in an 80–100 m² hall, plan for at least 14–18 kW of cooling capacity, accounting for people and lighting.
Don’t allow stuffiness — gamers play worse in heat, tire faster, leave earlier.
Common Layout Mistakes
Section titled “Common Layout Mistakes”Too little space between rows. The admin can’t reach a client to help; a client can’t stand up without disturbing a neighbour. Result — awkwardness and negative experiences.
Reception can’t see the hall. The admin sits with their back to the hall or behind a partition — doesn’t see what’s happening. Technical issues go unnoticed.
Cables on the floor. People trip, cables get yanked out of PCs, it’s a safety hazard. Cable infrastructure must be planned before renovation.
No waiting area. Client arrives — no free seats — nowhere to sit and wait — they leave. A simple sofa near the entrance retains the queue.
Consoles and PCs in the same undivided space. Console audience (loud games, TV with speakers) disrupts PC gamers. Acoustic separation is required.
Décor Tips
Section titled “Décor Tips”Hall décor affects perception, but less than equipment and service. Don’t spend the majority of your budget on interior design.
What works: thematic lighting, wall branding, posters/prints of popular games, custom mouse pads with the club logo.
What doesn’t matter much: expensive finishing materials, complex ceiling structures, large entrance banners. Clients evaluate the PC and chair within the first five minutes, not the walls.
Regulatory requirements (floor area, illuminance, ventilation) — consult applicable health and safety standards for your country and year of opening.
Related: How to Open a Computer Club from Scratch · Best PCs for a Club · Club Opening Checklist
Frequently asked questions
How many square metres does one workstation need in a club?
Economy open-plan layout: 2–3 m² per seat including aisles. Standard layout with comfortable aisle width: 3–5 m². VIP zone with partitions or booths: around 5 m². For 20 seats: economy 50–80 m², standard 80–100 m², premium 100–120 m². Office sanitary norms don't apply here — a gaming club is an entertainment venue, not a workplace.
Should tables run along the walls or through the centre of the hall?
Along the walls — more efficient use of space; clients sit with their backs to the wall (psychologically more comfortable). Centre rows add seats but reduce the sense of space and complicate cable runs. Optimal: L-shaped or U-shaped layout along walls + a centre row.
Are partitions needed between workstations?
Depends on the zone. In the standard zone — not required; gamers are accustomed to open spaces. In the VIP zone or private booths — recommended: they create a sense of privacy and reduce distraction. 40–60 cm partition height is sufficient.
Where should the reception desk be placed?
The reception must be visible on entry and have a clear sightline over the entire hall. Ideally — at the entrance on the left or right, facing the hall. The admin should be able to see all workstations without standing up.
How should cable infrastructure be organised?
Cable channels under desks or in the floor are best. Cables should not be visible or underfoot. Floor outlets or under-desk sockets. Wall conduits are a budget alternative. Plan the routing before renovation — retrofitting is expensive.