Eyes Down, Learn Here

N0. 02/2019

EYES DOWN LEARN HERE

Estefania Becerril

WELCOME TO BOOK NO.2

a D i ct t i o n s , Ga M b l i n G

b i n G o , l e a r n i n G s pac es .

TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER

1 - K E L LY ’ S

CHAPTER

2-

ONE

LITTLE

CHAPTER

3-

CUP

OF

CHAPTER

4-

KNOCK

CHAPTER

5-

MAN

ALIVE

CHAPTER

6-

TOM

MIX

CHAPTER

7- LU C K Y

EYE

INTRODUCTION WHO IS WATCHING RE VIE W FIELD BOOK INTERVENTION-REVIEW

DUCK

ADDICTIONS A DDICTIONS WITHOU T SUB STA NCE GAMBLING UK GAMBLING LAWS AND ONLINE GAMBLING GAMBLING SITES YOUNG WINNERS

TEA

THE BINGO GAME BINGO PL AY A ND PROBLEM GA MBLING EYES DOWN: REFLECTIONS ON BINGO CULT U RE IN T HE UK

BINGO HALLS IN LONDON SITE VISITS REFLECTION

AT

THE

DOOR

GRANADA CINEMA THE SITE SCHOOL PLACES CRISIS IN THE UK UNUSUAL SCHOOLS EXPOSURE THERAPHY USE OF BINGO HALLS TO HELPTHE SHCOOL SHORTAGE COLABORATION MILAN TRIP DESIGN IDEAS THE SITE CASE STUDIES PROJECT DEVELOPMENT FAT

FOR

SOME

FINAL PROPOSAL

CHAPTER

8-

GARDEN

CONSEPTUAL MAQUETTE FINAL MAQUETTE CONCLUSION

G AT E

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I NTRO D UCTI O N “Eyes Down, Learn Here” is the continuation from book No. one “Who is Watching”.

This book aims to continue with the research of addictions and take a deeper look at what they are, I also look into behavioral addictions or addictions without substance and I investigate especially gambling. From gambling, I return to my previous investigations about bingo and bingo halls and take a trip to visit the few remaining ones in London. From this visits, I decided to investigate one specific site the Buzz Bingo in Tooting and from here I arise the question of whether bingo halls could be a setting for different use.

Through doing research on this site I came to notice all the variety of schools in the surrounding area. All this led me to think about the possibility of developing a learning space inside the Bingo Hall.

The purpose of this book is to guide you through the inspiration and the development of my proposed project set on Buzz Bingo Tooting, and how this project tries to help with the current school crises and to introduce the idea that the remaining Bingo Halls could be the new setting for school spaces in the UK. PAGE 7

chapter kelly’s eye

PAGE 8

1

Chapter one of this books consist of a review of the previous book from the starting ideas to the proposed intervention and ends with a reflection of the previous book and project.

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WH O IS WATCH I N G REVI EW p ro c es s o f t h e p r e v i o u s b o o k

01

02

SERPENTINE PAVILLION

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SPACE

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03

TATE AND NEOBANK SIDE

04

FIX ROOMS AND ADDICTIONS

05

SITE: MECCA BINGO

06

FINAL INTERVENTION

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FI ELD BOO K I NTERVENTI O N r e f l e ct i o n The purpose of this intervention is to create awareness about the topic of addictions in specific this case about gambling. To be able to do that I tried to refer to my previous study about voyeurism and apply that idea to this project.

The intervention consists of creating three openings on the site. Each of this has been chosen specifically due to their location, cutting through key spaces such as the counting rooms, administration, sound room, bar/food area and going all the way to the playing area of the bingo hall.

Even though this intervention had great potential it failed in some aspects. The lack of information about for who the project was aimed to left a lot of questions unanswered.

But taking all this into consideration, it a good starting point for the next project to focus on some of the aspects left behind in this one. Finding a specific group to aim the project is a key matter for the success of the design.

Exploded Axonometric showing Mecca Bingo site PAGE 12

Axonometric showing Mecca Bingo intervention.

PAGE 13

chapter ONE LITTLE DUCK

PAGE 14

2

Chapter two starts the investigation about addictions, what are they, what’s the difference between addiction and misuse, what are the symptoms, what is withdrawal, then it goes into the topic of addictions without substance or behavioral addictions and then takes a specific focus on gambling. It goes into review the current gambling laws in the UK and takes a look into the current situation of online gambling. This chapter ends with the most popular gambling sites in the UK and a review of what has happened with the younger lottery winners in the country.

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AD D I CTI O NS

1 IN 3 PEOPLE ARE ADDICTED TO SOMETHING.

Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you.

Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol and nicotine, but it’s possible to be addicted to just about anything

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances such as heroin or cocaine. A person who cannot stop taking a specific drug or chemical has a substance dependence.

Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in activities, such as gambling, eating, or working. In these circumstances, a person has a behavioral addiction.

When a person experiences addiction, they cannot control how they use a substance or partake in an activity, and they become dependent on it to cope with daily life.

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ADDICTION VS. MISUSE Not everyone that misuses a substance has an addiction.

Drug addiction and drug misuse are different.

Misuse refers to the incorrect, excessive, or non-therapeutic use of body- and mindaltering substances.

However, not everybody that misuses a substance has an addiction. Addiction is the long-term inability to moderate or cease intake.

For example, a person who drinks alcohol heavily on a night out may experience both the euphoric and harmful effects of the substance.

However, this does not qualify as an addiction until the person feels the need to consume this amount of alcohol regularly, alone, or at times of day when the alcohol will likely impair regular activities, such as in the morning.

A person who has not yet developed an addiction may be put off further use by the harmful side effects of substance abuse.

For example, vomiting or waking up with a hangover after drinking too much alcohol may deter some people from drinking that amount anytime soon.

Someone with an addiction will continue to misuse the substance in spite of the harmful effects.

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SYMPTOMS The primary indications of addiction are: Uncontrollably seeking drugs Uncontrollably engaging in harmful levels of habit-forming behavior Neglecting or losing interest in activities that do not involve the harmful substance or behavior Relationship difficulties, which often involve lashing out at people who identify the dependency An inability to stop using a drug, though it may be causing health problems or personal problems, such as issues with employment or relationships Hiding substances or behaviors and otherwise exercising secrecy, for example, by refusing to explain injuries that occurred while under the influence Profound changes in appearance, including a noticeable abandonment of hygiene.

Increased risk-taking, both to access the substance or activity and while using it or engaging in it

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WITHDRAWAL When a person has an addiction, and they stop taking the substance or engaging in the behavior, they may experience certain symptoms.

These symptoms include: • Anxiety • Irritability • Tremors and shaking • Nausea • Vomiting • Fatigue • A loss of apetite If a person has regularly used alcohol or benzodiazepines, and they stop suddenly or without medical supervision, withdrawal can be fatal.

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ADDICTIONS WITHOUT A SUBSTANCE (BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS)

HOW OFTEN DO WE STOP TO THINK OF “ADDICTIONS” THAT NOT INVOLVE CHEMICALS? LIKE SUBSTANCE ADDICTION, THIS “OTHER ADDICTIONS” INVOLVE COMPULSIONS AND HUNGER OF VARIOUS SORTS AND LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESULTS IN SUFFERING.

Behavioral Addictions are becoming recognized as a valid category of psychiatric disorder, and Gabling Disorder is currently the only example of behavioral addictions recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Brain scan technology suggests that as far as the brain is concerned, a reward’s a reward, regardless of whether it comes from a chemical or an experience and where’s there’s a reward, there’s a risk of vulnerable brain getting trapped in a compulsion.

More people have been thinking that there is a commonality between substance addictions and other compulsions.

Addiction used to be defined as dependence on a drug as evidence by craving, increased tolerance, and withdrawal. But even some serious addictions don’t follow that pattern. As example cocaine, which is very addictive but causes very little withdrawal. On the other hand, a person that gets hooked on morphine while in the hospital can stop taking the drug without developing an addiction to it.

A number of behaviors produce short-term reward that can create consistent behavior.

That decreases the control over the behavior. Loosing control is the main defining concept of substance dependence or addiction. This similarity has given rise to the concept of non-substance or “behavioral” addictions. Examples for behavioral addictions could be: Gambling Food Sex Shopping, Tanning…

PAGE 20

Several behaviours have been linked to having similarities to substance addictions.

The main feature for of behavioural addictions is the failure to resist an impulse, drive or temptation to perform an act that is harmful to the person or to others. The repetitive action in this behavior ultimately interferes with functioning in other areas. In this aspect this type of addictions resemble substance disorders.

People that experiment behavioral addictions report an urge or craving state prior to initiate the behavior, same as individuals with substance use disorders before substance use. Additionally, this behavior often reduces the anxiety and result in better mood or state of “high”, similar to substance intoxication. People with behavioral addictions (such as pathological gambling, kleptomania, compulsive sexual behavior, and compulsive buying) report a decrease in the positive mood effects with

repeated behaviours or they need ti increase the intensity of the behavior to achieve the same mood effect, comparable to tolerance. Many people with this behavioural addictions also report a distressed state while abstaining from the behaviours, this corresponding to withdrawal. However, unlike substance withdrawal, there’s no reports of serious withdrawal states from behavioual addictions.

Existing data are most extensive por pathological gambling, but only limited data for compulsive buying, internet addiction, video/computer game addiction, and almost no data for other behavioral addictions such as sexual addiction, love addiction, pathological skin picking or excessive tanning. Substantial future research is needed to bring our knowledge of behsvioursl addictions to the level of substance addictions.

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GAM BLI N G

GAMBLING HAS BEEN A PART OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE FOR A LONG TIME, MAYBE EVEN AS LONG AS HUMANS HAVE INTERACTED SOCIALLY. LITERATURE HAS BEEN ACCUMULATING SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, WITH REFERENCES FOUND IN SOME OF THE EARLIEST RECORDS.

THROUGHOUT HISTORY GAMBLING HAS HAD A BAD REPUTATION BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDE OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS ATTRIBUTES TO IT. Over the past several decades the opportunity to gable has expanded potentially, a rapid increase in accessibility and legalized gambling, has allowed individuals more freedom of choice about their gambling activities.

Gabling can be defined as placing something of value at risk in the hopes of gaining something of greater value. Some forms of gambling can include wagering in casinos and on lotteries, horse and dog racing, card games, and sport events.

While most people gamble, just a minority meet the criteria for a gambling disorder.

Pathological gambling represents the most severe patter of excessive or destructive Gambling behavior and is the only gambling-related disorder for which there exist formal diagnostic criteria.

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UNDERSTANDING GAMBLING

types of gambling

WHY DO PEOPLE GAMBLE WHEN THERE IS LITTLE “HIT” THAT GAMBLING PROVIDES? AND WHY

Types of gambling are categorise different gambling activities into what we call sectors:

PEOPLE RETURN TO GABLING EVEN WHEN THEIR

•

HOPE OF WINNING? WHAT IS THE “HIGH” OR THE

LOSSES HAVE CONSEQUENCES TO BOTH THEIR OWN LIFES AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

• • • •

No substance is taken as alcohol and drugs, yet people become addicted and keep returning to gambling despite their overall experiences of losing money.

High level od stress, anxiety and depression ensue with anything up tp 50% of treatmentseeking gamblers contemplating suicide.

Despite all this, they return to gamble again.

How can we make sense of this, so we can help.

•

Arcades (those for adults and those for families) Betting (online, at an event or in a high street bookmakers) Bingo (online or in a bingo hall) Casino (online or in a casino) Lotteries (raffles, tombolas, sweepstakes etc) Gaming machines (fruit machines, fixed odds betting terminals etc)

There has been debate regarding the definition of addiction. A core feature of addiction is the continued engagement in a behavior despite adverse consequences.

This feature is generally accompanied by a diminished control over the behavior and an anticipatory urge or craving state prior to the engagement in the behavior.

Using this criteria, pathological gambling can be considered an addiction without a substance.

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PROBLEM GAMBLING SEVERITY INDEX (PGSI) THE PROBLEM GAMBLING SEVERITY INDEX (PGSI) IS THE STANDARDISED MEASURE OF AT RISK BEHAVIOUR IN PROBLEM GAMBLING. IT IS A TOOL BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE COMMON SIGNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF PROBLEMATIC GAMBLING.

How does it work?

The PGSI quiz asks participants to selfassess their gambling behaviour over the past 12 months by scoring themselves against nine questions. The response options attract the following scores: • • • • •

Never (score: 0) Rarely (score: 1) Sometimes (score: 1) Often (score: 2) Always (score: 3)

The categories are: • • • •

Non-problem gambler Low-risk gambler Moderate-risk gambler Problem gambler.

It is important to note that categorisation through the PGSI is not the same as clinical diagnosis, which requires assessment by a clinician.

Screens similar to the PGSI are also used to investigate other health issues, such as alcoholism and anxiety.

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What do the categories mean?

Non-problem gambler - Score: 0 • Non-problem gamblers gamble with no negative consequences.

Low-risk gambler - Score: 1–2 • Low-risk gamblers experience a low level of problems with few or no identified negative consequences. For example, they may very occasionally spend over their limit or feel guilty about their gambling.

Moderate-risk gambler - Score: 3–7 • Moderate-risk gamblers experience a moderate level of problems leading to some negative consequences. For example, they may sometimes spend more than they can afford, lose track of time or feel guilty about their gambling.

Problem gambler - Score: 8 or above • Problem gamblers gamble with negative consequences and a possible loss of control. For example, they may often spend over their limit, gamble to win back money and feel stressed about their gambling.

ta k e t h e t est 1.

Have you bet more than you could really afford to lose?

N eve r

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

2. Have you needed to gamble with larger amounts of money to get the same feeling of excitement?

N eve r 3.

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

ti m e

A l w ay s

Have you borrowed money or sold anything to gamble?

N eve r

5.

M o s t

Have you gone back on another day to try to win back the money you lost?

N eve r

4.

S o m e ti m e s

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

Have you felt that you might have a problem with gambling?

N eve r

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

6. Have people criticised your betting or told you that you had a gambling problem, whether or not you thought it was true?

N eve r 7.

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

Has gambling caused you any health problems, including stress or anxiety?

N eve r

9.

M o s t

Have you felt guilty about the way you gamble or what happens when you gamble?

N eve r

8.

S o m e ti m e s

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s

Has your gambling caused any financial problems for you or your household?

N eve r

S o m e ti m e s

M o s t

o f

t h e

ti m e

A l w ay s PAGE 25

UK GAMBLING LAWS & ONLINE GAMBLING

THE UK’S FIRST GAMBLING REGULATIONS CAME INTO EFFECT WITH THE BETTING AND GAMING ACT OF 1960 AND EVEN THOUGH THE RULES WERE RESTRICTIVE, THE FIRST LEGAL CASINO OPENED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THE NEW 2005 ACT LOOSENED THINGS UP CONSIDERABLY AND NOW BETTING IS ALLOWED ON MORE GAMES THAN EVER BEFORE.

THE GAMBLING COMMISSION The Gambling Commission (“the Commission”) was set up under the Gambling Act 2005 (“the Act”) to regulate commercial gambling in Great Britain. The Act came fully into force on 1 September 2007. The Commission regulates commercial gambling in Great Britain, including arcades (excluding unlicensed Family Entertainment Centres), betting, bingo, casinos, gaming machine manufacturers and suppliers, gambling software providers, lottery operators and external lottery managers (excluding small society lotteries), Great Britain based remote gambling and overseas gambling companies (in line with the Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014), and the National Lottery. The Commission does not regulate spread betting - this is the responsibility of the Financial Conduct Authority.

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W H AT K I N D S O F G A M B L I N G A R E L E G A L A N D I L L E G A L I N T H E U K? Gambling regulation is relatively young in the UK but thanks to the Gambling Act of 2005 there are loads of safe and legal ways to get in on the action. UK gamblers love betting on everything from sports to casino games and nowadays it’s even easier to place your bets thanks to a wide variety of excellent legal online casinos and sportsbooks.

C U R R E NT G A M B L I N G L AW S The current gambling laws are designed to control illegal gambling and better regulate the industry to make it safer for gamblers to make bets. One area the laws focus on is protections for children and vulnerable adults and that includes a minimum legal age for gambling and self-exclusion options for adults with gambling addiction.

YOU MUST BE 18 TO GAMBLE IN THE UK In the UK, in order to make bets in adult gaming centres, betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, racetracks, and on the internet, you must be at least 18 years old. Gaming establishments, including online casinos and sportsbooks, are legally obligated to confirm that customers are at least 18 years old by requesting ID and, if necessary, other supporting documents.

One big exception to this rule includes lotteries, and some scratch cards, and football pools. The minimum gambling age for those is 16 years old.

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ONLINE GAMBLING

ONLINE GAMBLING IN THE UK The Internet gambling industry has thrived in the United Kingdom because it is one of the places that has so strongly embraced gaming over the years.

When poker and casino games became available on webbased applications, it was the UK that not only welcomed the online gambling industry but also positioned itself at the forefront of regulation to help its growth. In 2019, British online casinos are some of the well-respected in the world.

When online gambling first became popular, rather than imposing draconian anti-gaming laws, the UK decided to legalize and regulate instead. New laws were passed in 2001, and a series of updates culminated in the Gambling Bill of 2005, viewed as one of the most comprehensive online gambling laws in the world.

The Gambling Bill covers licensing for Internet gambling sites in Great Britain and offshore operators, and it addresses many consumer protections, all of which are overseen by the Gambling Commission. The Internet gambling industry in GB is therefore a thriving and profitable one, and with UK online gambling sites leading the world in legal status and customer satisfaction, players rank online casinos from Britain as among the very best.

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DEVICES USED Laptops remain the most popular method of accessing online gambling (55%, -6% from 2015). This is followed by desktop PCs (34%, -4% from Devices used 2015), and then mobile phones (29%, +6% from 2015) and tablets (21%, +5% from 2015). Male online gamblers are more likely to do so using a mobile phone than females (32% compared to 25%), whilst female online gamblers are more likely to use a tablet device than males (23% compared to 20%).

LO C AT I O N O F O N L I N E G A M B L I N G Given the increase in use of portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets, online gamblers are also asked about the location of their gambling; whether they gamble at home, whilst commuting, whilst they are at work, at a sports venue or track, or in a pub or club. The most popular location for online gambling is still the home with 97% of online Gambling online at home is broadly consistent across all age groups, however younger age groups are more likely to gamble in additional locations.This trend is relatively consistent with findings from 2015, although play in multiple locations has broadened for 18- 24 and 35-44 year olds and slightly narrowed for 2534 and 45-54 year olds. In line with the increase in online gambling using a mobile phone seen in those aged 18-44 Location of online gambling gamblers doing so (no change from 2016). When looking at online gambling outside of the home, men are most likely to gamble at work (13%) whilst women are most likely to gamble whilst commuting (10%).

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GAMBLING SITES top 10 GaMblinG site in the uk W H AT TO LO O K F O R I N A G A M B L I N G W E B S IT E There are a ton of online gambling sites out there and many players are puzzled when it comes to choosing the correct one. First of all, the most important thing to always search for is the needed licences. In the case for UK, you must look for the stamp of the UK Gambling Commission at all costs.

You will find it at the footer of the home page. Other factors to look for is the game catalogue, platform quality, the presence of a mobile version, the live casino, customer support and the overall design of the website.

WILLIAM HILL CASINO

R AT I N G

CORAL

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

LADBROKES

PA D DY P O W E R C A S I N O R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

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R AT I N G

R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

BETFRED

R AT I N G

NETBET

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

B E T FA I R

R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

32 RED

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

MR GREEN R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

R AT I N G

R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

888 CASINO

R AT I N G

GAMBLING P R O D U CT S

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YOUNG WINNERS TOP 5 YOUNGEST LOTTERY WINNERS IN THE UK Winning the lottery would, without a doubt, change anyone’s life. No more financial worries, luxurious life and maybe even a new business – what else could you dream of? Being the owner of a lotto jackpot worth millions of pounds, however, could not only be a blessing but also a curse, especially if the winner is young. Becoming a millionaire at a young age could change anyone’s life and not always in a good way. In our article, we will discuss the fortune of the youngest lottery winners and how winning the lottery has affected their lives.

1. C A L L I E R O G E R S - 1.9 M I L L I O N The then 16-year-old Cumbria girl was living in foster care and working as a cashier at Co-op when she won £1.9 million from the National Lottery.

Rogers went through sudden gravitation towards luxury and escapism and slowly began losing control of her new lifestyle. Allegedly, Callie spent £11,500 on two breast augmentation surgeries, £85,000 on luxury sports cars, £300,000 on clothes and £250,000 on cocaine.

2. JA N E PA R K - 1 M I LLI O N

Jane Park scooped £1 million from EuroMillions when she played the game for the first time.

Jane won the jackpot while playing her first ever lottery ticket, but now believes that Camelot should not be allowing people her age to win such vast sums of money.

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3 . I A N T H E F U L L A G A R -7 M I L L I O N At the time of her win, Ianthe Fullagar was a law student on a gap year and earned £4.75 as a part-time waitress.

Unlike other winners, however, Ianthe said that she would stay grounded and follow her initial plan to go back to university following her gap year.

Following her win, Ianthe Fullagar has kept herself away from the media attention. However, in 2010 she was named by the Sunday Times as the 27th richest person in the UK, after deciding to invest her money for the future.

Just two years later, she still stood as the 38th richest young person in the United Kingdom, so we can assume that she decided to manage her fortune wisely and not go on a wild spending spree like many other lottery winners.

4. L E A H S U M R AY - 1 M I L L I O N Scratch card winner Leah Sumray, who scooped £1million when she was only 21 – but things didn’t turn out too well for her after her win.

In 2009 she was jailed for 14 days after she went on holiday instead of giving evidence in court.

Instead, Leah, from St Ives, chose to jet off on a sunny holiday to Fuerteventura.

Leah, who earned £4.60 an hour before her win, was subsequently arrested at Bristol Airport on her return

MICHAEL CARROLL - 9 MILLION

Part-time binman Michael Carroll, who was wearing an electronic tag when he bought his winning ticket, splashed out on a £340,000 on a six-bedroom home in Norfolk.

Michael also spent around £1million on shares in his beloved Rangers FC and £49,000 on a BMW. He failed to splash out on any car insurance though, or driving lessons, and was banned from driving for six months in 2004.

By February 2010, Michael was declared bankrupt and was claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance PAGE 33

chapter CUP OF TEA

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3

Chapter three is all about bingo, it starts talking of the origin of the game of bingo. It talks about the behavior of some of the bingo player and players characteristics. It then tries to review whether if there is a relationship between bingo play and problem gambling. And it finishes with an essay reflecting on the bingo culture in the UK.

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TH E GAM E O F BI N GO

BINGO’S ORIGINS COME FROM A GENOESE LOTTERY GAME, IL GIOCO DEL LOTTO D’ITALIA. FROM ITALY, THE GAME SPREAD TO FRANCE AND WAS KNOWN AS LE LOTTO, PLAYED BY THE FRENCH ARISTOCRACY. THE GAME IS THEN BELIEVED TO HAVE MIGRATED TO GREAT BRITAIN, AND OTHER PARTS OF EUROPE IN THE 18TH CENTURY.

Bingo is a game based on luck, with numbers being called randomly while players mark off the numbers in their cards and feature random numbers arranged in columns and rows. The game concludes when the first player achieves a combination of numbers that completes a pre-specified pattern, at that point the player calls out “bingo” to signify that they have the winning card.

The modern game became to find its presence form in the 1960’s, a decade which saw the passing and implementation of the betting and gaming act. The game was quickly adopted by churches and charitable organizations as a fundraising activity. Bingo represented an importance acceptance of gambling as it was tolerable fun-rising system.

In traditional bingo players are minimally involved; the only task is to mark the numbers called on the bingo card.

However, players of bingo must be physically present as the game unfolds.

Superstitious beliefs and practices take part in the game of bingo, which are believed to influence the outcome of the game. Players might reserve seats, use luck charms or even wear special outfits.

Bingo is commonly played in bingo halls, casinos, churches and community centers.

PAINTING BY CHARLES CHAPLINLES-” JOUEURS DE LOTTO” AN EARLY FORM OF BINGO

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BINGO PL AYERS BEHAVIOUR Bingo players tend to see the game as of chance or luck, yet the use of superstitious beliefs and practices among bingo players has been reported in numerous studies and clinical observations. Researchers believe that superstitions and beliefs may just simply add excitement to the game. By adopting superstitious behavior players put emphasis on the chance which lowers their involvement and commitment towards playing to win. These behaviors might also reflect a coping strategy used by players to gain perceived control in a game where the outcome is completely unpredictable and requires no skill. this is an important point to address since the illusion of control is thought to be associated with the development of problem gambling.

PL AYER CHAR ACTERISTCS Gender.- all gambling surveys revealed that women are at least twice as likely to be involved in bingo playing than men.

In a national survey. In a national survey carried out amongst 7,166 bingo players in clubs throughout the uk, the clientele was reported to be overwhelmingly female.

Age.- Bingo participation was second highest among 65-75 year olds and highest among 18-24 years olds. These data suggest that there’s seems to be a shift in individuals reach old age away from most forms of gabling and towards a preference of bingo. And despite a general preference among older adults for bingo, the participation of young adults is likely due to their higher overall participation rates in gambling.

BASED ON DATA, IT SEEMS THAT BINGO PLAYERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE FEMALE, LIVING IN A WORKING CLASS OR LOWER-INCOME HOUSEHOLD, AND EITHER SENIOR OR YOUNG ADULT.

Socioeconomic status.- socioeconomic status such as employment, education, and income gave been shown to significantly impact gambling patters and gambling expenditures. Bingo for example was found to be especially popular among working class women.

With respect of education, a positive relationship was found between level of education and bingo playing in the uk, where more educated individuals tended to be more likely to participate in bingo compared to those with lower levels of education.

In the UK participation in bingo was significantly higher among the lowest income households.

Health status. - In the UK, bingo prevalence was highest among individuals who reported fair health, and lowest among those who reported good or very good health, and those with very bad health. This relationship could be founded by ages, as older individuals tend to be less healthy.

Additionally, sedentary living was the only significant predictive lifestyle patter for seniors engaged in bingo.

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BINGO PLAY AND PROBLEM GAMBLING

THE PROBLEM GAMBLING SEVERITY INDEX (PGSI) IS THE STANDARDISED MEASURE OF AT RISK BEHAVIOUR IN PROBLEM GAMBLING. IT IS A TOOL BASED ON RESEARCH ON THE COMMON SIGNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF PROBLEMATIC GAMBLING.

The association between bingo play and problem gambling has received very little attention from researchers. There were few accounts of researchers being concerned about excessive gambling or other potential negative consequences attached to bingo play.

Some players reported feeling distressed with their bingo play as it takes time away from their family and home responsibilities.

Examination of previous studies suggest that although bingo is a harmless past time for the majority of the individuals, there is evidence of signs of at-risk gambling among some regular bingo players. However, little is known about the presence of problem gambling among regular bingo players or about the specific risk factors associated with bingo play.

Associations between bingo play and problem gambling should be made with caution given that problem gamblers are normally involved in multiple opportunities apart from bingo.

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EYES DOWN: REFLECTIONS ON THE BINGO CULTURE IN THE UK ADVANCED RESEACH ESSAY KEYWORDS: Bingo, Bingo Halls, Addictions, Gambling, Leisure, Women, Working Class ABSTRACT The aim of this paper is to create a response to the stereotyped perceptions of the game of bingo and life at bingo halls, these perceptions have created misconceptions or even taboo, between bingo as a sociocultural fact and current society.

Through my practice research, interviews and observation sessions were performed to pursue and question clichés and ideas on the accounts of lived experience and personal practice and reflection. The idea that bingo represents a place for social interaction, even as a social refuge, is questioned and many of the assumptions of the social side of bingo are critically explored.

Throughout this paper its also argued that other compulsions here the players have little or no control over have shaped the social life at the bingo hall, particularly assumptions of possibility, opportunity and safety in a maledominated and capitalist society. Therefore, I also discuss the presence of addictions and gambling and speculate whether its impact on socializing in spaces like this, as well as the taboos surrounding betting and competitiveness. The hypothesis that bingo might not be an entirely positive and social experience for some attendees and confront the social stereotypes that characterize the bingo hall as a social experience rather than a place to win.

INTRODUCTION While researching for my creative practice and found by coincidence I came across my first bingo hall. Curiosity led me into a bingo hall filled with slot-machines, very bright interiors and full of white-haired ladies. Bingo was a game I have never played before and haven’t played since.

Silence took over the place, each player started to checking numbers from their PAGE 40

cards with these strange looking felt-tipped markers, only to realize the numbers on my card where being called at a rapid rate.

I was never even close to filling my card, but the thought of that happening, that would have led me into having to shouting ‘bingo’ or anything to draw attention to myself in this new environment terrified me. But what was it me or the bingo hall that had made the idea of winning a cringe and frightening situation? What was it that led me into such an unfamiliar place, with a culture so separated and enclosed?

Plus, the interest in the concept of money, structure of the social groups with the monetary context around it, this prompted to ask more questions about the social life and winning situation. And so, my interest surrounding bingo the bingo culture grew.

Venturing in this research, I hoped to come to a better understanding of the kinds of social life taking place in a bingo hall.

As well as question the choice, access, and identity e.g. why people are drawn to this game, and why. I speculate how the social life at the bingo hall might be affected by the gambling culture, and how the monetary gain could affect the social values and relationships that are formed here.

It became important to consider the bingo hall as a gendered space, in not doing so it would misrepresent the atmosphere and history of the game. The stigma usually attached to woman relationships with competitiveness and gambling, and the issue of female control regarding leisure and lifestyle choices, all these questions where fundamental for the research.

FIG. 1: PAINTING BY CHARLES CHAPLINLES” JOUEURS DE LOTTO” AN EARLY FORM OF BINGO

THE GAME AND BACKGROUND The caller is calling. two and five, 25; six and two, 62; four and six, 46, on its own, number seven … There is something entrancing about listening to the numbers.

Saturday night, Camden, north London, and I am outside an industrial-looking building down a side street. Its only 7.30pm. must people of my age are at gigs or getting ready to go clubbing, but me, I’m about to play bingo for the first time. The game of Bingo has been stricken over the past 20 years by the national lottery, scratch cards, the smoking ban (60% of bingo players smoked inside the halls, and half of them stopped playing because of the ban); and by the rise of online bingo. Only twenty years ago, there were about 1,200 bingo clubs in the country. Just before the smoking ban, 600. Today, there are 351. And only 10 left in London.

It is fascinating the story of Britain’s rough relationship with bingo. It is a story of decline, clubs being shut down, and a bingo industry left behind as new activities battle for our attention this days but it’s also a story of optimism as the industry comes together to challenge bingo’s social role for the communities, and to excite bingo players with new and exciting ways of playing the game.

Bingo’s origins come from a Genoese lottery game, Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia. Originally from Italy, the game spread to France known as Le Lotto, and it was played mainly by the French aristocracy. It then migrated to the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe in the 18th century.

The modern game became to find its present form in the 1960s, a decade which saw the passing and implementation of the betting and gaming act. Bingo was rapidly accepted by the church and some charitable organizations as a fundraising activity. Bingo represented an importance acceptance of gambling as it was a tolerable fun-rising system.

Bingo is a game based on luck, with numbers being called randomly. The attendees check off the numbers in their cards which contain a series of random numbers arranged in columns and rows. The game comes to an end when a player obtains a sequence of numbers that completes a pre-specified pattern, right then and there the player must shout “bingo” to imply that they have the winning card.

In bingo the players have a minimum role; the simple responsibility they have is to mark the numbers being called on the card. nonetheless, players are required to be physically present as the game unfolds.

BINGO AND GAMBLING Bingo has a deep story as an attractive gambling game. But insufficient information is known about the relationship between the game of bingo and the influence on the development of gambling problems.

Recent data show increasing numbers of bingo participation during the last few years among young people. Within the adult population, woman and people with poor health recorded the high number of participations.

Bingo is generally seen as a “soft” form of gambling but has the possibility to turn into more serious problems. Bingo players tend to see the game as of chance or luck; however, the practice of superstitious beliefs has been noted in diverse case studies and clinical observations. Researchers believe that superstitions and beliefs may just simply add excitement to the game. By adopting superstitious behavior players emphases on the odds and lowers their involvement and engagement towards playing to win. These behaviors might indicate a coping strategy adopted by gamblers to show control in a game where the outcome is unpredictable and requires no skill. this is a crucial point to talk about since the image of control is related with developing a gambling problem.

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ADDICTIONS AND BEHAVIORAL ADDICTIONS To define what an addiction is we have to look into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) they define addictions as “the impaired control over a substance use as the essential feature of dependence, which is a “cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems” (Kranzler, 2008, p. 93) But how often do we stop and think that there are some addictions that do not involve any chemicals or substances? Like substance miss use these other addictions also involve compulsions and hunger of various sorts and like substance miss use results in suffering.

The definition by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, relate “addictions a well as obsessions and compulsions to the loss of voluntary control, and to getting trapped in repetitive self-defeating behavior.”

Addiction were once defined as a dependence on a substance as evidence by craving, an increased tolerance, and withdrawal. Even following this definition there are some “classical” addictions that do not follow said the pattern. As an example, cocaine. This drug is known to be highly addictive but causes little or none withdrawal at all. In opposite, a person who gets dependent to morphine while in the hospital will easily cease the ingestion to it without growing an addiction to it.

Behaviors apart from the ones that require substance ingestion, produce a short-term reward that incites a consistent behavior even though knowing the consequences. The low self-control over the behavior is a defining concept for substance addiction.

Some of the common features of behavioral addictions are the fail to combat an impulse, a temptation or drive to execute certain activity that result in harm to the person or others.

Behavioral as well as substance addictions typically outsets during teen age and young adulthood with a superior number in this groups than older adults. Both show chronic relapsing patterns but many of the cases recover by themselves without formal treatment.

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GAMBLING Gambling has existed since the beginning of times, maybe even as long as humans have interacted with each other, but the chance to gamble in western society has intensify greatly all because of the government policy and legislative control, to allow people with freedom of choice about their gambling activities. gambling is so far the only behavior that has been recognized as an addiction, as previously mention behavioral addiction share similarities with substance addictions, in gambling the subject develops cravings that might be as extreme as drug users, people also might develop tolerance through the need to keep betting, and finally they experience highs also sharing similarities to drugs, they even show withdrawal symptoms. And finally, just as substance addiction, gamblers are at risk of sudden relapse even if they have been through years of abstinence.

Gamblers develop irrational concepts about gambling. In gambling, players exhibit an illusion of control, they believe their skills will somehow have an influence in the outcome of the game, they also attribute success to their own ability and loses to luck, and finally, gamblers misjudge the nature of randomness, maintaining that independent events are linked.

FIG. 2.: GANADA CINEMA, THIS CINEMA WAS TURNED INTO A BINGO HALL. TODAY ONE OF THE 10 ONLY BINGO HALLS REMAINING IN LONDON.

A WOMAN THING “As cinemas and dance halls close, bingo take over. More and more women are being drawn into the world of gambling. It is a world of deceit and ruin… where they played for a big win is worshipped with all the anticipation of the second coming. And where nothing is sacred if it can be sold for betting money. (Glasgow evening times, 25.3.1980) To understand why bingo has been said to be a “woman thing” there’s the need to explore first not the activity but the way women spend their time and the roles in society which led to certain leisure results.

At the end of 1950s, the cinema industry started to see a decline, and by that time women hold more income of their own and the thought of women going out with friends (other women) to the cinema was a well-settle practice. So, attending the movies was the main hobby for women.

The demand for some sort of club or society for women, to where they could attend any time of the day, any day they wanted for a few hours for recreational purposes, they

were in need to meet their fellow, to create social circles and just to have a good time.

Home isn’t this kind of place; home is a deeply private place. The interaction with non-family members took place in semi-public spaces (for example the cinema). There was an urge for a meeting place, giving that most forms of social institutions in the working-class community were male-dominated. Suchlike pubs and that women do not feel safe unless they are accompanied by a man.

It is simply then to comprehend why workingclass women felt attracted to bingo. We can start by saying there not real commitment to the game, if there’s no time, or the kids not feeling well, there’s no lose lost by not attending.

It is also relatively cheap, and the clubs usually are accessible and most important local.

“For women of all ages, the club provides something which no other facility offers- a largely female environment, non-intimate social contact, involvement in a game which requires no training or equipment, relaxation, the chance of winning, and in a building which is physically and culturally part of the community. “(Dixie, 1987, p. 213) PAGE 43

FIG. 3: MECCA BINGO CAMDEN TOWN, FRIENDS PLAYING BINGO

TO WIN OR TO SOCIALIZE Walking through the bingo hall with my camera I notice an old lady looking at me with curiosity, it could be maybe because I’m the only one in their 20s in this place or perhaps she just wants to know what I’m doing taking photos.

When the morning session is over, she comes to talk to me. Her name is Laura, 81, she asks what I’m doing, and I just say I’m working on a research of bingo halls. What do you think about bingo halls I ask, “they are great, the thought of playing bingo here was the only thing that got me out of my place, if they didn’t exist i would be sitting in my house all day, and I don’t believe that’s good for anyone” she says “regardless the money and prizes, I like playing bingo. It’s about the company when my husband died the only place I camera I notice an old lady looking at me with curiosity, it could be maybe because I’m the only one in their 20s in this place or perhaps she just wants to know what I’m doing taking photos.

When the morning session is over, she comes PAGE 44

to talk to me. Her name is Laura, 81, she asks curiously what I’m doing, I just respond that I’m doing a research of bingo halls. What do you think about bingo halls I ask, “they are great, coming here is the only thing that got me out of the house, without this places we would be sitting at home day and night, and that’s good for anyone” she says “I never win anything, I like playing bingo. Ii don’t come here to win money or prices, it’s all about the community, when my husband died the this was the only place I would come. I came in just to say hi to everybody. We are just like a big family.”

It’s just luck, Laura says there is no need for any type of technique: “It’s just about luck”.

Looking around and all of a sudden realize the overwhelming number of women. I even notice there are more toilets for women than men. Laura confirms it to me, “Bingo has been always well-known as a woman’s thing, guys have betting, football and pubs” What I got from Laura is that bingo halls provide an irreplaceable sense of community for attendees and members.

REFLECTION

CONCLUSION

Bingo is a peculiar and unique game, full of history and contradictions. Firstly, it’s a game based on winning rather than on the actual earning of the money. there’s no money exchange between players, but money changes hands, in bingo there is no trading, bantering and definitely no monetary negotiation. And yet the fact of obtaining a monetary gain gas a defining presence at the bingo hall. Even though the bingo players are competing against each other, there’s also this feeling of wanting to enjoy with the other players the process and excitement of the game. They are competitors to each other but at times also friends. Although this might be a contradiction itself. Among some participants of bingo they have no intention to see their game acquaintances outside the bingo hall, they embrace a gambling identity one that can be left behind once leaving the premises. This separateness of the bingo hall from the “real world” make a particular social interaction, were contrary to the belief that bingo is a welcoming environment it promotes anonymity and detachedness.

The fact of winning is not important, but the social aspect Is more important. Since the emerging of the bingo halls during the 60s that created spaces aimed toward woman, the sociable aspect of bingo became preeminent.

But some people see the bingo hall as a place to enjoy their solitude, for some others is a place where discretion regarding their personal matter, it is a place for superficial friendships filled with unspoken social rules and judgment.

So why people enjoy bingo? And why is it still considered as a place to socialize rather than to win? It is argued that generally, the bingo is a game played by the least powerful classes in the UK societies, working-class women have embraced this activity which was initially was offered by commercial concerns, and shaped in order to transform it into something meaningful for themselves, to valorize the activity of a disempowered social group.

However, through my research, I would argue that bingo does not constitute a particularly positive experience for some of the attendees.

It shows control and autonomy, but it’s just what is expected, what is possible and what it seems to be safe.

The regularity and familiarity of the setting, the constant look for lucky charms or choosing the same seat, the unspoken rules and hall regulations and the likelihood that the players are working-class women and/or female and in some way known to each other, all of this provide a degree of safety.

It is important to analyze the condition of choice; the socio-political pressure and cultural preconception of the game clearly has an impact on the bingo life. For most of the people, bingo is “just a game” just something simple to do which encompassed nothing serious. “an opportunity to win a lot with a little occasionally. This means that they must normally lose. And in a way, they want to lose, treating the “flutter” as a form of consumption, a chance for a rare buzz of excitement”. (Heart, 2001, p. 160) Many questions were raised, however, which fell beyond the purpose of this paper, concerning the increasing number of male players, for example, and their experiences of bingo social side, concerning the impact of the recent legislation on attitudes toward gambling; internet bingo and anonymity. The boundaries imposed during this research may open ideas for the next.

The gambling side of the game, the rush of adrenaline it provokes it also represents why people are drawn into the game, it’s the kind of excitement not present for many people in their everyday life. Perhaps the use of the bingo hall does not relate to use the site as a networking place, or as a community space, maybe the bingo player relates her bingo life as a private and separate one, a place where excitement can be bought and maybe even have the chance to win a price.

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chapter KNOCK AT THE DOOR

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4

Chapter four starts by talking about a few the remaining bingo halls in London.

Only 10 are left and a site visit is a must to take a look at the remaining ones. The chapter continues by a series of site visits and site writing of the majority of the sites remaining.

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BINGO HALLS IN LONDON

NO SOCIAL OR CULTURAL HISTORY OF MODERN BRITAIN WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT MENTIONING BINGO. IT IS THE POPULAR GAME OF THE PEOPLE: ONE THAT ENDURES, THAT HAS TRANSCENDED MERE LEISURE AND GABLING TO BECOME A MINDSET, NAY RELIGION IN ITS OWN RIGHT.

10 BINGO HALLS REMAINING

BINGO IN THE UK

It almost goes without saying that the picture of bingo in the UK has changed radically during the Internet age (broadly speaking, the last 20 years).

Similarly, the advent of the smartphone and its mass adoption in the UK since 2008 and, more specifically, the mass adoption of Android Smartphones since 2010 shifted the marketplace further still, due to the obvious removal of any restrictions as to where players are stationed.

We will look later at the rapid uptake of online bingo and the impact of the mobile “revolution”. Firstly, however, we’ll look at the statistical evidence for the decline of the traditional physical bingo hall, along with other factors unrelated to shifts in technology which contributed to this decline.

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2

3

1

8

5

7

10 4 6

1. MECCA BINGO CANDEM TOWN

5. THE LONDON PALACE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

9. MECCA BINGO ELTHAM HILL

2. MECCA BINGO WOODGREEN

6. BUZZ BINGO TOOTING

10. MECCA BINGO CROYDON

3. BEACON BINGO CRICKLEWOOD

7. BUZZ BINGO SURREY QUAYS

4. BEACON BINGO STRETHAM

8. BUZZ BINGO STRATFORD

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10 REMAINING BINGO HALLS MECCA BINGO CAMDEN TOWN Large chain bingo venue with an

MECCA BINGO WOOD GREEN Large chain bingo venue with

on-site bar, a cafe and electronic

an on-site bar, a cafe and

gaming machines.

electronic gaming machines.

Address: 180 Arlington

Address: 707-725 Lordship Ln,

Rd, Camden Town, London NW1 7HL

Wood Green, London N22 5JY

BEACON BINGO

BEACON BINGO

CRICKLEWOOD

STREATHAM

Capacious modern bingo complex with 2,700 capacity, 3 bars, 2 restaurants and a large smoking area.

Address: 200 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, London NW2 3DU

THE LONDON PALACE ELEPHANT AND CASTLE

Bingo centre with slot machines, a licensed bar and a diner, housed in a former theatre building.

Address: 110 Streatham Hill, Streatham, London SW2 4RD

BUZZ BINGO TOOTING Bingo hall in the London Borough

Address: First Floor Elephant &

of Wandsworth.

Castle Shopping Centre, London

Housed in a grade one listed

SE1 6TE

building that was built in 1931.

Address: 50 Mitcham Rd, London SW17 9NA

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BUZZ BINGO

BUZZ BINGO

SURREY QUAYS

STRATFORD

Large chain bingo centre with

Large chain bingo centre with

electronic gaming and slot machines, plus regular live entertainment.

Address: 3 Teredo St, London SE16 7LW

electronic gaming and slot machines, plus regular live entertainment.

Address: 341-351 High St, London E15 4QZ

MECCA BINGO

MECCA BINGO

ELTHAM HILL

CROYDON

Large chain bingo venue with an

Address: Centrale Croydon, 80

on-site bar, a cafe and electronic

Tamworth Rd, Croydon CR0 1XX

gaming machines.

Address: Eltham Hill, London SE9 5ED

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Mecca binGo caMDen toWn

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MECCA BINGO CAMDEN TOWN

site WrittinG Saturday night and I’m at the bingo hall, is the first time I’m in a place like this. The color choice for the interiors is very interesting, bright red, I suppose it has something to do with theory of color. Red, blue and purple seats, not very comfortable by the way.

Something else interesting that I can notice is the lighting. I came here at 6:30 pm, the next game starts at 7:00 pm. Game starts I have no idea of how long it’s taking but here seems like the time don’t passes by. Game is finally over it’s ten past 8:00 pm and the only way you can tell it’s because everyone starts standing up. The place looks the same this light makes you feel like there’s still light outside. You can be here all day and wont even notice due to the lighting. “Time doesn’t pass by here.”

Even though its supposed to be one of the busiest nights of the week there’s barely anyone here.

I notice that most of the attendees are mostly elderly women, next there’s a few men too you can tell they are regulars because they all say hi to each other and finally there’s a few young folks, that I can easily tell are here because of the cheap alcohol, im guessing they are going to play tonight and never come back again.

Roughly guessing this place can hold 500 people.

And tonight, there’s not even 100. I can’t help to wonder how a place like this would feel when full.

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MECCA BINGO WOOD GREEN

site WrittinG

To continue with my research about bingo halls I decided to visit as many bingo halls as I could find in London. The next one in my list after the mecca bingo in Camden was another mecca bingo but this time in Wood Green. It wasn’t that hard to get to this place, from mine took me 2 buses, but it’s well connected as just a few steps away from this bingo hall there’s a tube station. One of the first things I can notice Is that this one is next to a shopping centre. So is well visible for anyone that is around the area. As I approach the venue, I can tell the parking lot if almost full, it might be that I’m here at noon which means one of the main games is in process. Once inside, I ask if its ok to take pictures and wonder around, but the manager doesn’t seem to keen on it, and he denies my entry.

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Mecca binGo WooD Green PAGE 55

beacon binGo crickleWooD

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BEACON BINGO CRICKLEWOOD

site WrittinG The next stop in my bingo search I go to beacon bingo. Again, this site is well connected by transport and it’s easy to find as is a massive building in the high street.

Again, I approach the workers in the reception and as nice as I can I explain to them that I’m doing a research on bingo halls and that id like to go in to see the space and take some photos. This time the people are there are friendly, and they called their manager to see if it was possible. The manager says just with the condition that I must become a member. Which I have no problem with its only making my bingo halls memberships bigger. Once I have my members card, I go in.

I was not expecting to see what I saw. This place is big, and when I say big, I mean BIG. I was so surprised on my first visit to my first site thinking it was big but this one I can confidently say it al least twice the size.

I start to recollect information and to take photos. I can tell that people are not happy with me there I got a few people yelling at me that they don’t want their photo taken to the point one of the managers came to me and said that I should avoid taking photos of people.

Leaving this place, I was still in shock to the magnitude of the space. 2000 people can be gathered in this place and its open 24/7 I wonder how this place would be later at night.

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FOR BINGO PLAYERS NEAR NORTHWEST LONDON, BEACON BINGO CRICKLEWOOD. OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY (EXCEPT FOR SUNDAY)

On top of the regular promotions and bonuses, they have lots of specials, giveaways, freebies, and events like karaoke, fashion shows, and parties for all the big calendar dates.

There’s seating for 1,365, parking for 150, facilities for the disabled, free cash machines, electronic Bingo, and a bar and café.

It’s also easy to get to by public transport with the Piccadilly line just down the road from Wood Green tube station, and bus routes 123, 144, 243, 318 and W3 all close to the venue.

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the lonDon palace

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THE LONDON PALACE ELEPHANT & CASTLE

site WrittinG

Talking with one of the workers at beacon bingo Cricklewood he tells me that I should visit the palace London in elephant and castle. He tells me that in that bingo hall is bigger than the one I’m at. I’m surprised to hear that as I’m still surprised as how big this place is. He also says that I should go soon because that one is supposed to be closing soon. What a surprise. And so I go to visit this place.

Just outside elephant and castle tube station there’s a shopping centre. The bingo hall is inside. From what I have been reading this whole shopping centre is going to be demolished to be converted in some sort of housing project.

I go into this shopping centre, and there’s no way to get lost there’s signs that point to the bingo everywhere. To get there’s you need to go up this set of stairs. Once there I saw a few people going there and again I ask to the person in the reception if its ok for me to go in and take photos. Again, this time they told me that’s not possible. But member of the staff I was talking to suggest I come in some time that the owner is there. I ask but he’s not sure when he’s coming. But he provided me with an email to contact him. Once gain I was not allowed to visit the space. But I’m on the wait for a response from the owner.

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BEACON BINGO STRETHAM HILL

site WrittinG

Next one on the list is another beacon bingo. This one is not as easy to reach but then again, I find this one on a high street which from what I can see is a common thing from these bingos, with an exception of the mecca bingo Camden town which I fell is hidden.

So, as I approach this bingo, I can see the big building, I see the beacon sign outside, but I can notice it’s a bit old and seems like it hasn’t had any maintenance in years.

I go in and I see this beautiful lobby, with pastel colours, a big chandelier hanging from the ceiling and two set of stairs that I assume guide to the bingo hall.

I go and try to find someone to talk to and ask for permission to go in and take photos, I go into this little and dark space full of slot machines, and ask the lady on the counter if I can go and see the space, she just looks at me surprised and the only thing she says is “there’s no bingo”. I’m confused and try to explain this is for a project and I wont bother anyone, and she again says “there’s no bingo, it has been closed for 2 years” I’m in shook.

I was so exited to visit this place. The only thing she says to me is that I could email the company and they might give me permission to go in. I’m still waiting for a response.

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beacon binGo strethaM hill

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buZZ binGo tootinG

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BUZZ BINGO TOOTING

SITE WRITTING Next one is the buzz bingo in tooting Broadway. This one for me its really easy to get to.

I basically need to go all the northern line, 4550 minutes to get there. In my head I was just hoping they would let me in. I got there, again is in a very populated high street. I’m exited I have been looking at images online and I have big expectation for this one. Finally, I arrive, again as in all the places I have visit I ask to talk to the manager to ask for permission.

They told me the manager is not there, he’s on break, that I should come back in one hour.

One hour later, im here again and the manager says its ok for me to take the photos. I go in and this place does not disappoint. I would never imagine saying this, but this bingo hall is beautiful.

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Collection of brochures collected on sites

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REFLECTION

After visiting most of the bingo halls remaining in London I’m left feeling melancholic. The thought of imagining these places where once full of people ready to play bingo seems like something just seen in the movies. Nowadays these spaces are no longer full, even though visiting them on various occasions and at different times, they seem to be always empty, just a few familiar faces are the constant in these spaces.

The idea of gambling also doesn’t really apply for the game of bingo, from some conversation I had with players, it seems like they still enjoy coming to such places for the company instead of the winnings.

From my investigations, it seems like people are still playing the game but from a distance with the technology nowadays it is not necessary to come into the bingo hall anymore.

Learning that a few more bingo halls are near closing I can’t help but think what could be the new purpose for these amazing buildings.

From my visits it also helped me into choosing a site where to develop my new intervention. The Buzz Bingo Tooting totally took my breath away. Grade Listed I Building, full of history would be a really interesting setting to develop an intervention

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chapter MAN ALIVE

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5

Chapter five starts the investigation of the Buzz Bingo Tooting, previously known as Granada cinema first open back in the 1930s, with a breathtaking gothic style started as a cinema and later turned into a bingo hall. Then the chapter continues into looking into the surroundings of the site only to discover a variety of schools around it.

This finding led to the research of the current crisis of school places happening in the UK. From this, the idea of unusual schools came into place and how this could be an idea for my design project.

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TH E SITE GRANADA CI N EMA

The Granada Theatre is situated on Mitcham Road in Tooting Broadway and was originally built for Sydney Bernstein’s Granada Theatres Chain, opening on Monday the 7th of September 1931. The Theatre was designed by Cecil Masey whose exterior treatment for the Theatre was in the Italian Renaissance Style, the Theatre’s lavish and vast cathedral like interior, seating nearly 4,000 people, was designed in the Gothic Style by Theodore Komisarjevsky.

The Granada Theatre, although primarily built as a Cinema, was also equipped with a large stage, 58 foot wide by 30 foot deep, along with under stage Dressing Rooms for artistes, a Wurlitzer Theatre Organ, and a large Cafe for the Theatre’s patrons, which was was situated over the Theatre’s Foyer.

Also included was a car park for 250 cars, and, unusually, a pram park as well.

The Granada Theatre opened on Monday the 7th of September 1931 and went on to have a long life as a Cinema and Theatre. In the 1930s the Theatre was regularly home to Christmas Pantomimes, and for four years from 1934 it was even used to stage Circus shows with real elephants, along with its film showings.

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Plenty of well known stars performed on the Granada’s stage over the years including, Frank Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, The Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison, and The Beatles. The last live show on the Granada’s stage however, would come on the 28th of August 1966 when the Bee Gees performed in concert to a packed house.

The Theatre’s Cafe was closed in 1954 and the space was never reused although it still exists in the building to this day. The Theatre itself was under threat of demolition in 1971 when applications were made to construct an office building on its site. Thankfully however, the Theatre was granted a Grade II Listed Building status and the demolition plans never came to fruition, but the vast Theatre, which had been running with very low attendances for a number of years, was eventually forced to close on the 10th of November 1973.

The Theatre then remained closed for a number of years before being reopened as a Granada Bingo club in October 1976. This was taken over by Gala Bingo in 1991 who continue to run it, now the company names has changed to Buzz bingo.

Such is the magnificence of the building, especially internally, that the Theatre’s Grade II Listing was upgraded to Grade I in September 2000.

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With the huge success of TV, cinema attendance across Britain declined dramatically in the 1960s.

The balcony café overlooking the grand foyer had closed in 1954 and by 1971, Granada Tooting was only entertaining an average of 600 customers a week. Despite the Bernsteins’ wish for it to be demolished as, to them, it had outgrown its money-making purpose, local councillors fortunately disagreed. They stuck a preservation order on it and it became Grade II listed in 1972. However, the cinema’s declining fortunes were dealt a further blow in July 1973 when heavy storms flooded the building and damaged the organ. A few months later, the cinema screened its last films – The Man Called Noon and Perfect Friday – on 10 November 1973. The building was left unused for a few years, before it reopened as the Granada Bingo Club in October 1976. The Granada firm – still in the hands of the Bernstein family at the time – ran the bingo hall until May 1991 when it was taken over by Gala Bingo, the current owners.

The same year, the Bernsteins sold Granada Theatres Ltd to Bass for £147 million.

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VISIT TO LONDON METROPOLITAN ARCHIVES London Metropolitan Archives (LMA) is home to an amazing range of documents, images, maps, films and books about London. LMA is free to use and open to everyone.

The LMA is the principal local government archive repository for the Greater London area, including the City of London: it is the largest county record office in the United Kingdom. It was established under its present name in 1997, having previously been known as the Greater London Record Office.

I decided to take a little trip to the London Metropolitan Archives to see if I could find any more information about the Buzz Bingo in Tooting. For my surprise I found way more than I was expecting. When ordering the documents to look, one of my orders turned out to be a huge box containing original documents regarding all kinds of topics, from receipts, announcements, letters to contracts.

More documents that I was able to find were original plans all hand drown and dated from 1930, it was amazing being able to appreciate all this documents and seen how this building was design and how it is still standing today.

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MITCHAM

ROAD

GALA

BINGO

CLUB

(FORMERLY LISTED AS: MITCHAM ROAD SW17, THE GRANADA CINEMA) 28-JUN-72 I FORMER CINEMA, BUILT IN 1930-31 FOR BERNSTEIN THEATRES AS THE GRANADA. ARCHITECT: CECIL

MASEY

DESIGNER (1882-1954).

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(1881-1960);

THEODORE

INTERIOR

KOMISARJEVSKY

A world class cinema - without doubt the most lavishly decorated interior of any cinema in Britain and among the most lavish in Europe; the finest evocation of the sumptuous movie palaces of the 1920s and 1930s, the flagship of the Granada circuit.

It is the masterpiece of its creators - Sidney Bernstein, the architect Cecil Masey, the mural artists Lucien le Blanc (possibly alias Leslie le Blond) and Alex Johnstone, but towering above all, the inspiration and imagination of Theodore Komisarjevsky, the Russian expatriate prince and theatrical impressario who is now remembered chiefly for his cinema design. The building closed as a cinema in 1973, re-opening as a bingo club three years later.

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A world class cinema - without doubt the most lavishly decorated interior of any cinema in Britain and among the most lavish in Europe; the finest evocation of the sumptuous movie palaces of the 1920s and 1930s, the flagship of the Granada circuit.

It is the masterpiece of its creators - Sidney Bernstein, the architect Cecil Masey, the mural artists Lucien le Blanc (possibly alias Leslie le Blond) and Alex Johnstone, but towering above all, the inspiration and imagination of Theodore Komisarjevsky, the Russian expatriate prince and theatrical impressario who is now remembered chiefly for his cinema design. The building closed as a cinema in 1973, reopening as a bingo club three years later.

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TH E SITE SITE AREA LO N DO N BO ROUGH O F WAN DSWO RTH Wandsworth is a London borough in England, and forms part of Inner London.

According to the 2011 census Wandsworth has a population of 306,995. In 2001 78% of the population was white, 9.6% black and 6.9% south Asian.

A 2017 study by Trust for London and the New Policy Institute found that Wandsworth has the lowest rate of unemployment of any London borough. It also has the 2nd lowest rate of local employees who are lowpaid.

Tooting is a district of South London, England, forming part of the London Borough of Wandsworth and partly in the London Borough of Merton. It is located 5 miles (8 kilometres) south south-west of Charing Cross.

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SCHOOLS IN THE AREA 7 6

4

2

5

3

1

Buzz Bingo

Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit

Sellincourt Primary School

Tooting Primary School

The Siegeris School of Dance

St Boniface RC Primary School

London Wimbledon academy

Franciscan Primary School PAGE 79

schools in the area ST BONIFACE ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL St Boniface Roman Catholic Primary School is a voluntary aided primary school and provides education for around 360 children. The school is located in the Tooting Broadway area.

This school caters for boys and girls aged between 3-11 years old.

SELLINCOURT PRIMARY SCHOOL Sellincourt Primary School is a community primary school providing education for around 470 children.

The school is located in the Tooting area.

This school caters for boys and girls aged between 3-11 years old.

TOOTING PRIMARY SCHOOL Tooting Primary School is a Free School and opened in September 2012.

Tooting Primary School is part of the Graveney Trust, and benefits from Graveney’s eduational expertise and its’ academic and sporting facilities.

FRANCISCAN PRIMARY SCHOOL Franciscan Primary School is a community primary school and provides education for around 470 children. The school is located in the Tooting area.

This school caters for boys and girls aged between 3-11 years old.

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THE SIEGERIS SCHOOL OF DANCE The dance school run ballet classes for children and adults, all under the regulations established in the Royal Academy of Dance Graded and Vocational classes. offer classes on modern dance and tap dance, in accordance with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance standards, encouraging the joy of movement in children as young as 3, adults, and every age group in-between.

LONDON WIMBLEDON ACADEMY Established in 2003, the London Wimbledon Academy offers various courses, including General English Classes, Citizenship Test preparation courses, driving courses, etc. All the teachers are fully qualified, passionate about their work, and friendly.

FRANCIS BARBER PUPIL REFERRAL UNIT Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) provides education for secondary-aged pupils who live in Wandsworth and are permanently excluded or who are not on a school roll for other reasons. The PRU also works with secondary aged pupils on the roll of Wandsworth Council maintained schools, who are not attending school or who are experiencing emotional, behavioural or social difficulties in school.

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SCH OO L PLACES CRISIS I N TH E U K A REPORT, FROM LONDON COUNCILS, SAYS 78,000 SECONDARY AND 34,000 MORE PRIMARY PLACES WILL BE NEEDED BY 2020 .

BRITAIN IS FACING THE WORST SHORTAGE OF SCHOOL PLACES FOR DECADES. THIS IS RESULTING IN OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS, PRIMARY SCHOOLS EXPANDING BEYOND AN OPTIMUM SIZE AND CHILDREN TRAVELLING FURTHER TO SCHOOL. ALL CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO A PLACE IN A GOOD LOCAL SCHOOL; TO BE TAUGHT BY A QUALIFIED TEACHER; IN CLASSES THAT ARE NOT OVERCROWDED; AND IN BUILDINGS THAT ARE FIT FOR PURPOSE AND PROVIDE ALL THE FACILITIES NECESSARY FOR A GOOD QUALITY EDUCATION. Some of the worst impact of this has been felt in the capital. London has been facing an increase in demand for school places for a number of years. A combination of rising pupil populations, spiralling building costs THE SCHOOL-AGE POPULATION IN LONDON IS FORECAST and lack of available land is putting increasing pressure on London TO RISE TWICE AS FAST AS IN THE REST OF ENGLAND boroughs to provide places for pupils.

THE REPORT, FROM LONDON COUNCILS, SAYS 78,000 SECONDARY AND 34,000 MORE PRIMARY PLACES WILL BE NEEDED BY 2020.

London’s local authorities, head teachers and school governors have worked together to expand existing schools and build new schools where necessary but a lack of adequate funding from government had meant that many London boroughs have had to use their own resources (including borrowing) in order to keep pace with demand.

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ANALYSIS OF GOVERNMENT FIGURES BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (LGA) HAS FOUND THAT BY 2023/24, 71 ENGLISH COUNCILS (52%) MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEED FOR 133,926 SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES. THE LGA ANALYSIS SAYS THAT 13 AUTHORITIES WERE LOOKING AT A SHORTFALL IN 2019/20, RISING TO 25 COUNCILS IN 2020/21 AND 54 IN 2022/23.

LONDON’S LOCAL AUTHORITIES, HEAD TEACHERS AND SCHOOL GOVERNORS HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO EXPAND EXISTING SCHOOLS AND BUILD NEW SCHOOLS WHERE NECESSARY BUT A LACK OF ADEQUATE FUNDING FROM GOVERNMENT HAD MEANT THAT MANY LONDON BOROUGHS HAVE HAD TO USE THEIR OWN RESOURCES (INCLUDING BORROWING) IN ORDER TO KEEP PACE WITH DEMAND. Government Statistics show that the nursery and primary school population has risen steadily since 2009 to reach 4.6 million in 2018. The population is projected to stabilise in 2019 at 4.66 million before starting to fall. The secondary school population rose to 2.85 million in 2018 and is projected to continue increasing until around 2025, reaching an estimated 3.28 million.

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U N USUAL SCH OO LS TURNING UNUSUAL BUILDINGS INTO INNOVATIVE CLASSROOMS With the news that the UK will require an extra 570,000 secondary school places by 2025, local authorities and schools must begin planning where these additional students will be placed. Alongside expanding existing buildings and developing brand new sites, some local authorities are looking into repurposing old buildings into new schools and classrooms. Here’s a look into some of the more unusual and inspirational buildings and sites being turned into innovative learning environments for the next generation.

LONDON POLICE STATIONS Students of the future could find themselves studying science and maths at former police stations. In 2014, the former Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced that disused police stations in the city would be reopened as free schools.

Fast-forward to 2017 amongst the free schools which have successfully moved into old police buildings include Fulham Boys Academy and Harris Primary Academy East Dulwich. the next generation.

RAF AIRBASE Flying school … Heyford Park free school, which is being built on a former RAF airbase in Oxfordshire.

Its forms are named Royal Air Force and US Air Force, and houses are named after pilots.

The school will be housed in the Grade II listed officers’ mess building at the former Upper Heyford US Airforce base.

The school aims to take 840 pupils from age four to 19 by 2019, and will be open to youngsters from Bicester and the surrounding area.

FIRE STATION Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form is a sixth form free school located in Norwich, owned by the Inspiration Trust. It has the capacity for 480 students aged 16–19. It specialises in mathematics and science. is housed in a converted office building, but its eventual home will be a disused fire station with Grade II-listed features including the original tender doors and billiard score boards.

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OTHER EXAMPLES AROUND THE WORLD NEW MEXICO BUNKER At the height of the Cold War the New Mexico town, Artesia, felt it was in danger of attack from the Soviet Union and built and underground bunker. After the Cold War ended, the bunker was no longer required for protection and instead continued to be used as a school for the town’s children. The completely underground school benefitted from a playground on its roof and 800 kilogram blast door.

ARGENTINIAN FOOTBALL SCHOOL The River Plate School in the Argentinean capital, Buenos Aires, educates roughly 2,000 students within the football ground of one of the nation’s biggest teams. Fans of River Plate can send their children to school within the hallowed halls of the stadia from nursery to university. The football team is a huge part of the city’s culture, so it’s only fitting that it is the centre of education for so many Buenos Aires students CHINESE CAVES The mountainous Guizhou province is one of the poorest regions in China, receiving minimal government support. This led to local authorities opening Dongzhong Primary School in the middle of a cave network in the 1980s. With almost 200 students, some of which travelled for hours every day to attend school, the caves were filled with primary school age children learning from dedicated and intrepid teachers.

FLOATING SCHOOLS OF NIGERIA With little dry land upon which to build and a need for additional classrooms, the schools of the Nigerian village of Makoko are built upon the sea. Volunteers from around the world teamed together to build the floating classrooms for local students, as well as home, so families and school authorities don’t have to pay costly land taxes.

After reading and investigating of all this amazing places where school places have been developed, there’s no doubt that a development of a school place in a bingo hall would be possible and much needed.

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EXPOSURE THERAPHY “IN EXPOSURE THERAPY, PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE VERY THING THAT’S FEARED IN AN EFFORT TO LEARN TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE DISTRESS THAT IT CAUSES.”

People with substance use disorders often go to rehab partly to get away from the people, places and things that lead them back to using. Some rehabs even prohibit movies, music, and anything else that might serve as “triggers” of intense reminders of—and cravings for—alcohol or drugs. In this sense, rehab is a retreat from a dangerous environment and, ultimately, the real world. Sooner or later, however, a person has to return to the real world—and often to the very people, places and things formerly associated with using.

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In order to help people, learn to manage cravings, many programs encourage long-term stays in rehab or a move to a sober living facility. Extended retreat from the world certainly has its place. But a treatment approach that emphasizes exposure to, rather than avoidance of, triggers and other environmental stimuli that may result in cravings, “slips” and relapse can be effective, whether in rehab or the real world.

Exposure, a technical term in psychotherapy and CBT, is a foundation of treatment for anxiety disorders, PTSD and phobias. In exposure therapy, the client experiences, directly or indirectly, the very thing that’s feared in an effort to learn to gain control of the distress that it causes. The exposure can occur in gradual increments.

There have been cases were people make big strides in recovery through the use of

this technique, it is believed that addiction treatment could benefit enormously from the application of exposure therapy.

A standard part of any relapse prevention plan is how to deal with “high-risk” situations.

The goal is to have the confidence that you can cope with cravings. In the beginning of recovery, avoidance of dangerous triggers may make a lot of sense. But at some point, it is likely time to face cravings headon, and that may require exposure therapy.

BINGO, GAMBLING AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH A SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

The reasoning behind wanting to relate exposure therapy into a learning environment comes with the idea of trying to find a way to create a relationship between bingo halls and a project aimed to help the current school crisis in the UK. In a way having learning facilities with the bingo hall is not something seen before, but the idea of such spaces coexisting is very exciting. If such a space existed it

would benefit both ways, it would help the gambling industry, and it would help with the need for more school spaces, but more than help with this current crisis I believe it’s a different way to help create awareness of addictions in this case gambling as kids since a young age will be taught about this topic and be actually in a place where this is happening.

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use of bingo halls to help the shcool shortage

From my research, I got to see with my own eyes the decadence of bingo halls. Not wanting these amazing places to disappear I came to the conclusions they would be the perfect setting for an intervention to happen.

After choosing Buzz Bingo in Tooting for this to happen I needed a topic for the intervention. The site and area were the ones that gave me what they needed.

A school shortage is a current topic in the UK and acknowledging a diversity of schools in the area that seems to be what the intervention needs to be.

Buzz Bingo Tooting will be the setting for the creation of learning spaces for the schools in the area, where bingo will still be played and new learning spaces will be created.

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REFLECTION

Once that I have decided what I wanted to do for my project I can’t help but think back on my previous work. Having understood that the needs of the Buzz Bingo in Tooting came for it surroundings It is easy now to see how I failed in the last project to see what the needs of the Mecca Bingo Camden were and for this the project lacked a specific aim.

This new design journey I am about to begin seems very exciting and full of possibilities.

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CO LABO RATI O N OPEN STAGE

During our collaboration we discussed about the project potential of not only being capable to provide a performing space but due to the size of the site it might allow to create more spaces all of them related with the activity of performance, for example to create spaces where it’s possible to learn performing arts, a main stage, space for training, storage for the people performing and training.

OPEN STAGE

STREET ENTERTAINMENT LIVE AT DRURY LANE

Open stage invites visitor to new public buskerscape for live entertainment at Drury Lane. Enjoy the entertainment and interested visitors can book for performing arts training classes with professional trainers.

In association with

Sunrise Constructions Pvt. Ltd

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The Busker Association .

As for the poster even though it shows very good cad drawing skills, it doesn’t communicate the idea of the project. It looks very polished; it doesn’t seem to take in consideration the importance of the site and the idea that it might be temporary. It might be a good idea to investigate a different type of imagery, not only cad drawings, maybe trying some sketches, I believe it is also important to show the materiality, and how the old and the new are combining. Another idea to take in consideration is using the but final model to communicate the idea better.

AMRAR ZAGA "OUR PLACE"

During our meeting for the collaboration project, we with discussed the idea of integrating not only the community she’s working with but also the to look into the the surrounding area and include the community in her project too. Due to her idea of using moving panels, our suggestion was to investigate exhibition spaces as a reference for a layout. A good idea to continue with the moving panels is that it creates a possibility to have different spaces for different activities, but the project also needs to decide where the permanent spaced are going to be and which ones are going to be the flexible ones. Also, a list of activities for each space should be proposed.

As for the poster, it is missing elements that represent the Bengali community. a bold colour is a good idea, but I believe it needs to be linked or have some sort of connection with the Bengali community. the moving panels for the project are a good idea, but its difficult to understand the whole project just by the hand sketch on the poster. A cad drawing probably would work better.

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FEED BACK FOR MY POSTER

WHAT RENUKA SAID: As we spoke about the poster over the break, we discussed about having a collaboration between the older generation coming to play bingo and the kids coming home from school. The idea was to have a bonding time between those two age groups and it was more of a child friendly environment which hides the Bingo during times the children are in the house. The poster doesn’t look like its attracting children, maybe Estefania should look at making it more colorful and attractive. And also adding a phrase that clearly states its for Children. The image on the poster looks more very dull and the color of the poster is gloomy.

Add some bright colors and make it look lively and playful.

Eyes Down

A B C

WHAT SUBHECHA SAID:

Buzz Bingo Tooting be the setting to a intergenerational nursery where young and old will be located together, sharing facilities and interacting on a daily basis.

This bingo hall is planned to be a meeting point and community hub of young and old and its social enterprise status places it at the heart of an urban village.

EVERYBODY WINS

SPONSORS

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The poster for “eyes Down” looks interesting, but it is not communicating Estafani’s project that well. During the collaboration, she presented her idea to be a bingo center for elderly people and an after-school club for kids whose parents are working. A center which also offers the elderly people to interact with the kids as well. However, now she has changed the facility into a nursery rather than an after-school club, which is even more challenging than the earlier idea. she will have to consider a lot of things for her design and making it child-friendly.

As suggested during the collaboration session she has the bingo element, which is making the poster eye catchy. However, the poster is not communicating the facilities and function of her project that well. For the poster, I would advise incorporating something graphical that would mention that the bingo center has education facilities and caretaking facilities for the kids as well. The colour combination of the poster is nice, but I would suggest to not use the red photograph background in the poster as it is not helping to communicate her idea.

The tag line “everybody win” in the poster, is nice and matches her concept as well.

EYES DOWN

Reflecting on the work done for my poster, I must think of a different image to represent my project because as for now it doesn’t represent my idea and the project can’t be understood. Something else I need to look out for is maybe changing the colour scheme try to find something more child-friendly but keep in mind the identity of the bingo.

For my second attempt of the poster, I decided to bring in the color pink as it would be more eye catching and more child friendly. It also tries to represent the arches mimicking the gothic style from the bingo hall. For the key image for the poster it has a part from project design, trying to represent the different levels available as well as sitting from the bingo showing the interaction between both spaces.

LEARN HERE EVERYBODY WINS

SPONSORED BY:

As a review for this one the arch seems to be very basic and not representing properly all the design showed in the final design. More influence of the bingo culture must be shown as it has lost a part of it. And a recommendation for change of the letters has also been made.

This is only the second attempt of the poster; more changes are going to be made

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chapter TOM MIX

PAGE 94

6

Chapter six starts with a trip I did to Milan to the design week. I believe this was an important point for my design. The chapter goes on to start developing the first design ideas and how I applied what I’ve seen in Milan to my site and to my design. Then it goes into a review of the current site and goes to review some study cases that inspire the design for my project.

Finally, the first attempts for the design are made and reviewed. .

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M I LAN TRI P

Milan design week is the largest trade fair of its kind in the world. The exhibition showcases the latest in furniture and design from countries around the world.

It is considered a leading venue for the display of new products by designers of furniture, lighting and other home furnishings.

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D ESI GN I D EAS OLD AND NEW PLEASURE & TREASURE BY ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

Held in the Sala Reale, a room that once served as the royal family’s private waiting room at Milan central station, Pleasure & Treasure showed furniture and interior products from more than 40 Austrian designers and architects.

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SPACE ENCOUNTERS TEMPORARY MUSEUM

BUILDS

Design studio Space Encounters has partnered with Creative Holland to build a temporary museum.

The installation is made to combine room for art and design, with atmospheres that promote relaxation, contemplation and. The Museum was designed as a journey through different spaces in which visitors constantly interact with Dutch creativity.

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D ESI GN I D EAS

Three main separate areas are going to be established – bingo area, a kids’ play area and a share zone.

Trying to mimic and recreate the original site I want to create a repetitive modular and constructive system that reminds of a puzzle. Where there will be a contrast with the site and new design. Having separated areas are intended to give every user their own space Activities are part of the rhythm of the day. There will be shared games, sing-songs, cooking lessons, storytelling sessions and celebrations of festivals.

SKETCH OVER SITE PHOTOGRAPH

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SKETCH IDEA

SKETCH IDEA

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TH E SITE EXISTING PLANS

Buzz Bingo Tooting in the ground floor has a reception where members have to check in, then has a hall full of slot machines and then the main hall where the bingo game takes place. It also counts with toilets and bar/cafĂŠ..

GROUND FLOOR

Second floor is not in use anymore, for now it only has old seats from when it was a cinema.

Today its only open on Mondays for visiting.

FIRST FLOOR PAGE 102

Free space

section a-a1

view PAGE 103

STU DY CASES In my research I came across various papers looking into the idea that built environment factors have an impact on the learning progress of students. That means that well-designed classrooms can increase the learning progression of a pupil by 25%.

The Department of Education has published so called ‘Baseline Designs‘ it specifies detail how a cost-effective standard school is supposed to look like. The guidelines stipulate rectilinear forms, a specified number of floors, basic layout rules (e.g. classrooms on one side of circulation space), ideal width of corridors and height of ceilings, as well as countless other standards. The Royal Institute of British Architects has condemned this ‘flat-pack approach’ as inflexible, too restrictive and depriving.

Education Funding Agency Baseline School Designs

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TOKYO KINDERGARTEN BY TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

The oval-shaped roof deck of this playful Tokyo kindergarten allows children to play and run endless laps around it – a feature that has just won it the 2017 Moriyama RAIC International Prize.

The school follows the Montessori Method, an educational approach where children are given freedom to range around the classroom and learn via discovery.

Rather than impose physical boundaries on the children, Tokyobased architect Takaharu Tezuka designed the kindergarten as a continuous space that allows for unfettered learning and play.

There is no play equipment installed, instead the architecture itself functions as a giant playground.

Children are allowed to move about freely, fall down and get wet within a safe environment.

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RING AROUND A TREE TEZUKA ARCHITECTS

‘Ring around a tree’, a dual-purpose annex building at fuji kindergarden sited adjacent to the existing school, the structure functions as both english-language classrooms and as a waiting station for school buses.

The structure looks to destroy the boundaries between internal and external, and built and natural environments. seven staggered floor plates modestly surround the mature and twisting tree, its columns and stairways dissolved into the shadows of the leaves and hardwood. treehouse-like structure features a series of compressed and enclosed spaces accessible only to crouching, crawling children.

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I N ITIAL I D EAS SKETCHES

Continuing with the idea to create a flexible space, that is not restrictive and that will encourage the learning process, I want to explore the idea to destroy the boundaries between internal and external spaces, for this I want to create some sort of structure that will lead into a series of platforms were different activities will take place

CREATE A SERIES OF PLATFORMS FOR DIFERENT SPACES.

CREATE DIFFERENT VIEW POINTS

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PROJ ECT D EVELO PM ENT FIRST PROPOSAL Having such a particular site, it was necessary to take inspiration from it to use it in the design of the project.

The gothic architecture that is present in the bingo hall inspire me to take some of the shapes present in the site and turn them more simplistic so I would be able to use them in my design. This shapes will mimic their surroundings to create new spaces.

TRACING OVER A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SITE

VIEW OF THE SITE. WITH NEW PROJECT. PAGE 108

For my first attempt, I decided to use a scaffolding type of structure to hold all the different levels. Each level will have a different room where different activities will happen. The whole structure goes around the site in a circular motion.

VIEW OF THE PROPOSED STRUCTURE

The form of the structure leaves space in the centre for the people attending the bingo hall to continue playing, while other activities are taking place above them. The new and the old are merging together as inspiration of the building is being placed in the new design.

AXONOMETRIC

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REVIEW AND FEEDBACK

Looking back into my first design, I can see a few improvements.

First the scaffolding structure probably is not going to work due to the fact that there’s too many pieces for the structure, and this will not leave space for the setting that go under the design.

I’m also aware that by leaving all the spaces open, it might cause problems when classes or more private activities are happening, closing some spaces and the use of acoustic panels might be a good idea.

Another point is looking into the possibility to use more references if the site into the design of the shapes, to create a more dynamic design.

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Pen sketches over first design

Free ground floor space close some spaces to create private rooms acoustic panels

Try a different type of structure.

Structure from second floor should go all the way to first floor Different shapes for each space

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STUDY MAQUETTE

STRUCTURE MAQUETTE

STRUCTURE WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS PAGE 112

FLOOR PLAN

Looking back into my first design, I can see a few improvements. First the scaffolding structure that I first proposed was not going to work because of the number of pieces for the structure needed and this will end up not leaving space in the ground floor for the bingo area that go under the design.

I’m also aware that by leaving all the spaces open, it might cause problems when classes or more private activities are happening, closing some spaces and the use of acoustic panels might be a good idea.

Another point is looking into the possibility to use more references of the site into the design of the shapes for the rooms, to create a more dynamic and coexisting design. .

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SECOND PROPOSAL

For this part of the project I started by creating a grid, this to create a modular floor plan, as well to help with the placing of the structure.

SECTION SHOWING DIFFERENT ROOMS AND DIFFERENT LEVELS PAGE 114

NEW STRUCTURE SHOWING DIFFERENT ROOMS AND DIFFERENT LEVELS

For the second proposal, I have chosen to use a simpler structure to be able to have a free ground floor, using a study maquette to see how it works, I have come to the conclusion that this method will work for my project. even though I am happy with the outcome of this, the shape for the new spaces are still not properly develop. The lack of interaction between the site and the new space is clear. There is a need for these spaces to have more character and inspiration from the site. For now they are just boxesn.

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FAT

Fashion Architecture Taste

MORE INSPIRATION Fashion Architecture Taste or FAT is an art and architecture collaborative that first established itself in the 1990s in London, England. Their work falls broadly under the postmodern category with pop-culture influences.

FAT an award winning practice with an international reputation for delivering outstanding projects at a range of scales and for many different uses.

These photos show a housing development for the Manchester Methodist Housing Group within the New Islington development by Urban Splash. It’s a set of 23 two to four-bedroom family homes and garden areas. The aim for the design is to unify the resident’s desire for traditional homes with the New Islington masterplan commitment to innovative and world class architecture.

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The BBC Studios is a 3.6ha production village situated in Roath Basin, a 20ha area of former industrial land in Cardiff.

The production village consists of a 260m long office block and eight studio facilities with outdoor filming spaces. For this project, Fat developed a facade using motifs which reference the dock warehouses, wave forms and the gothic architecture of Cardiff. The playful facade, seen across the dock from The Bay - Cardiff’s new town centre - reinforces the civic connection between the city and its waterfront

The Villa is a community building which sits at the heart of the Heerlijkheid park designed by Fat in the town of Hoogvliet in the Netherlands. The building contains a multi-use hall, offices, and a cafe. It’s design is intended to create a 21st century civic architecture for a suburban new town. It is a decorated shed, using timber rain screen cladding to create an architecture of communication which evokes Hoogvliet’s industrial past, whilst the references to elements of nature in the entrance and in some of the cut-out features of the facade, recall the bucolic ideas on which the design of the New Town was originally based.

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INSPIRATION APPLIED INTO MY DESIGN To continue what I have seen and studied from FAT studio and to apply it to my design is the way I’m going to develop my design by taking the idea of creating diverse facades for each of the rooms and levels I’m proposing. Each of the 9 different facades are going to mimic and reference gothic designs that are seen across the buzz bingo to create a connection between the new spaces and the bingo hall.

AXONOMETRIC SHOWING ROOM NO. 5 WITH THE NEW FAÇADE PAGE 118

AXONOMETRIC SHOWING ROOM NO. 2 WITH THE NEW FAÇADE PAGE 119

chapter LUCKY FOR SOME

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7

Chapter seven shows the final design proposal, by showing drawings such as floorplan, sections and isometrics it explains where the ideas came from and how it ended being that way.

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FI NAL PRO POSAL DRAWINGS

FLOOR PLAN

SECTION

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The final design proposal consists of a set of different levels each of them has a “room� where different activities will develop.

As the floor plan shows the design goes into a circular circulation this is to create continuity and the possibility to visit all of the spaces. It also helps to leave the center free so there is a possibility to have a view from all the rooms to the ground floor which still has bingo seating and people and still come and play.

As for the design of the rooms, the site was the main inspiration to develop the facades.

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AXONOMETRICS

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AXONOMETRICS

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FI NAL PRO POSAL

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The final design proposal aims to create learning spaces inside a bingo hall. The current situation where more school spaces are needed was the inspiration to have these two activities coexisting in the same space.

Different levels were proposed to create diverse rooms for different activities.

The site itself inspired the new intervention; the facades of the new rooms aim to mimic the gothic design of the bingo while the bold color aims to stand out.

This is not the end of this project more has to be done, bit as for now it’s a very exciting project full of possibilities.

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chapter GARDEN GATE

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8

Chapter eight talks mainly about the model making, it starts with the making of a conceptual model, and ends with the final model. .

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CO N CEPTUAL MAQU ETTE The fist conceptual model shows the structure as well and the design of the project.

Materials used where MDF and clear acrylic. I must admit I lack model making abilities and this resulted on a very messy attempt.

Feed back on this model was that I should be more careful with handling the materials, different type of clue to avoid marks was recommended and perhaps different materials, as MDF and acrylic are very common.

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FI NAL MAQU ETTE

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For the final maquette, I used acrylic and MDF but modified to not look like them, spray paint was used for this. Colour pink was chosen to represent as it is a bright color that would be child-friendly and stand out from the current color palette from the Buzz Bingo.

The maquette represents the new design and shows the structure and rooms of the intervention.

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CO N CLUSI O N This book has the purpose to narrate the journey I made, linking all my previous ideas and gather new to develop Eyes Down, Learn Here.

This project has developed incredibly throughout this book and has had a lot of turns but at the end has left me very content.

It started with the curiosity about what addiction are, learning about behavioral addictions, gambling, bingo and ending learning about the current school shortage in the UK. In the beginning, I did not imagine there could be a way that a bingo hall could be set for an educational project but from my research, they seem like a doable project where this two activities can coexist, and I can say it’s a project I’m really excited about.

Id likes to conclude this second book by saying that the possibilities are endless, and this was only the start of this project. Through the evolution of a topic, a massive change can be made to space and its identity.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOKS Grant, J.E., Potenza, M.N., Weinstein, A. and Gorelick, D.A., 2010. Introduction to behavioral addictions. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 36(5), pp.233241.

Holden, C. (2001) ‘ADDICTION: “Behavioral” Addictions: Do They Exist?’, Science, 294(5544), pp. 980–982. doi: 10.1126/science.294.5544.980.

Kranzler, H.R. and Li, T.K., 2008. What is addiction?. Alcohol Research & Health, 31(2), p.93.

Milton, Simon (2006) ‘Addictions without substance series: The conundrums of gambling’, Drugs and Alcohol Today. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 6(3), pp. 37– 41. doi: 10.1108/17459265200600049 Orford, Jim. (2003) Gambling and problem gambling in Britain . Hove: Brunner-Routledge.

Moubarac, J.C., Shead, N.W. and Derevensky, J.L., 2010. Bingo playing and problem gambling: A review of our current knowledge. Journal of Gambling Issues, (24), pp.164184.

Mann, K., 2003. “ Sit anywhere you like, we’re all friends together”: reflections on bingo culture. Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Evans, J.M., Connelly, J., Jepson, R., Gray, C., Shepherd, A. and Mackison, D., 2018. A physical activity intervention in a Bingo club: Significance of the setting. Health Education Journal, 77(3), pp.377-384.

Bramley, S., Norrie, C. and Manthorpe, J., 2018. Gambling-related harms and homelessness: findings from a scoping review. Housing, Care and Support, 21(1), pp.26-39.

Dixey, R., 1987. It’s a great feeling when you win: Women and bingo. Leisure studies, 6(2), pp.199-214.

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De Groot, K., 2017. Bingo! Holy play in experience-oriented society. Social compass, 64(2), pp.194-205.

Casey, E., 2003. Gambling and consumption: Working-class women and UK National Lottery play. Journal of Consumer Culture, 3(2), pp.245-263.

Cassidy, R., 2014. ‘A place for men to come and do their thing’: constructing masculinities in betting shops in L ondon. The British Journal of Sociology, 65(1), pp.170-191.

Hart, K., 2001. Money in an unequal world. Anthropological Theory, 1(3), pp.307-330.

ONLINE RESOURCES

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middlesex university ma interiors (architecture and design)