JCJ Architecture Bob Gdowski,
AIA, Director of Hospitality Design
Could you tell us about some of JCJ Architecture’s casino projects in the past and any projects you are currently working upon?
JCJ Architecture’s Gaming & Hospitality practice was built upon a strong foundation of trust and unique capability. Our work in this market began in the early nineties through our collaboration with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, pioneers of destination casino resorts, in helping them see their vision for the Foxwoods Casino Resort come to life. Our reputation has since fostered the growth of the firm to seven offices, with a portfolio encompassing hundreds of casino projects that span the spectrum in terms of scale, location, and aesthetic.
Two of our most notable projects are Resorts World Casino New York City, one of the nation’s top slots revenue generators, and Resorts World Catskills, a luxury destination – both in collaboration with Malaysia-based Genting. Other projects of note include Hollywood Park Casino located just a few miles from Los Angeles International Airport, Viejas Casino Resort in Southern California, multiple projects for Bally’s Corp (formerly known as Twin River Worldwide Holdings), and Penn National. One of our most significant current projects is the Choctaw Casino and Resort Durant Expansion. Located just 90 minutes north of Dallas, the project encompasses a 1,000 guest room hotel, casino, food and beverage, and parking expansion, representing a more than $500m investment from the tribe into this property.
How important and what role does architectural design play when it comes to keeping players engaged?
Architecture has an inevitable influence on the way each of us moves through our day, and tends to mirror the story of who we are or who we want to be. Deliberately and unexpectedly, we form relationships with the built environment. Individuals engage architecture functionally, and if done correctly, architecture engages us back emotionally and inspirationally. Casino
P66 WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS
At the dawn of casinos as
‘entertainment hubs’ we saw a style of architecture that was often unashamed and paper- thin, much like a greeting card that momentarily steals your attention and then fails to live up to a promise. This was a design methodology that focused on bombastic
overstimulation created by the desire to drive a guest into hyper-focus.
architecture is no exception, but it has travelled a tenuous road to get to this point. At the dawn of casinos as ‘entertainment hubs’ we saw a style of architecture that was often unashamed and paper-thin, much like a greeting card that momentarily steals your attention and then fails to live up to a promise. Tis was a design methodology that focused on bombastic overstimulation created by the desire to drive a guest into hyper-focus. Tis experience was one rooted in the art of anticipation: the anticipation of the flip of the ace, the roll of the dice, or the
landing of the pill in the pocket; at the time, a purely gaming-driven emotion. Often, design was guided by an art of confusing and disorienting the guest, ensuring they felt more comfortable bellied-up to a table than wandering the floor.
We see things far differently today. Te art of anticipation is no longer simply at the hand of the dealer, but also created through the relationship between architecture and the guest. Engaging the guest is not about disorienting their senses, but about creating environments that compel, inspire, and absorb them. Casino architecture now focuses on designing spaces that people enjoy interacting with and feel genuinely moved by. Tis is not at the dismissal of escapism, but rather achieves that romance through more authentic expressions and inspiration. When a guest feels an emotional
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