Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | May 2010 36 Elegant ergonomics—the main floor at Wynn Macau is the drunk at the dinner party who keeps repeating everything he says, and in a loud voice. Elegance is the quiet guest, the woman who says only a few things, all of which are compelling and surprising and mysterious. You can’t wait to get away from the drunk. You hunger to spend more time with the woman. If elegance prompts an involuntary “Wow,” opulence triggers a reflexive “Hmm”. “Hmm” is a response which, though it struggles to give due credit for all the stuff, is a sound more filled with questions than with approval and admiration. If you’re in an elegant casino, and the business is brisk, it feels vital and active. In an opulent casino the same level of business feels crowded. Designers of elegant casinos see the larger picture. Designers of opulent casinos sometimes see themselves as the larger picture. Elegant design is always careful, and though it doesn’t boast, the care’s impressive. Opulent design is, too often, flair-ful—and does boast, though its boasting’s not impressive. In an elegant casino, players pick up the designer’s assurance and security and discover it to be an environment in which they, as well, feel assured and secure. In an opulent casino, players become infected with the designer’s uncertainty and feel insecure. “Wow”- eliciting, elegant casinos are decisive; they generate the sense of lucidly made decisions. “Hmm”-eliciting, opulent casinos are indecisive; when you dine in them it’s harder to make your choices from the menus. An elegant casino floor layout is at once simple and complex— multiple elements, but all dovetailing seamlessly, fitting; nothing calling attention to itself; instead, being. A guest would never stand in an elegant casino and exclaim, “Whoa! Look at all those slots!” or “Look at all those tables.” An elegant casino would know better than to massively dedicate half-acres of floor space to any single activity. Leave such dedicated tracts to the opulent casino. Elegant is intricate yet clear. Opulent is overwrought and astigmatic. Elegant you’re immensely proud of, but keep working on. Opulent you’re sort of satisfied with, but leave behind you and move on. Casino Design