UnforgetTABLE Games: Breathing New Life into a Nottingham Boathouse
A Visionary Leap by Andrew Maghari
In the heart of University Park, Nottingham, a seemingly forgotten structure on the waterfront is about to experience a radical transformation, one that pivots on creativity, modularity, and the power of social connection. Spearheaded by Andrew Maghari, a Year 2 Architecture student at the University of Nottingham, the project “UnforgetTABLE Games” reimagines the neglected Boathouse as the vibrant hub for board game enthusiasts—both students and locals alike.
Andrew, who concluded his first year with a commendable high 2.1 and clinched the coveted Tutor’s Choice Award for his IDP 3 project, stands out as a young designer already making significant strides. His experience with InvestIN, facilitating 16–18-year-olds in unlocking their potential in architecture, further highlights his drive not only to design but to inspire.
From Derelict Waterside to Dynamic Games Hub
The Boathouse, once central to lakeside recreation, fell silent after a commercial boating venture claimed the lake, ushering in a period of inactivity. It was this silence that Andrew saw as an opportunity. UnforgetTABLE Games arises from the brief of Year 1’s Integrated Design Project 3 (IDP 3): to repurpose an unused building, infuse it with new purpose, and create an extension that weaves it into the surrounding environment.
Andrew’s solution isn’t just a facelift. It is a transformative reimagination—offering a much-needed community haven that stretches beyond traditional opening hours. The vision: a 24-hour, modular board game lounge, inviting university students and Nottingham residents to connect, compete, and unwind. At the heart of his proposal is a deceptively simple yet profoundly versatile design element: the table.
Modularity as a Catalyst for Social Play
What sets UnforgetTABLE Games apart is the ever-evolving table system. It is not just furniture, but the core of activity and interaction. Tables are designed to adapt to different heights, catering to various games, group sizes, and even accessibility needs. Moreover, individual tables can be clustered together, forming larger surfaces for expansive games or collaborative events—an essential consideration for a multipurpose community hub.
This modular system channels the ethos of adaptability, inviting users to actively shape the social landscape of the space. It transforms static interiors into theatres of play, shifting effortlessly throughout the day and night to cater to everything from quick lunchtime chess games to late-night marathon sessions of Dungeons & Dragons.
Architecture as a Platform for Connection
Through dialogue with his tutors and peers, Andrew focused his efforts on developing “killer drawings”—exquisite visual representations that capture both the technical and emotive aspects of the new boathouse. These industry-standard graphics, honed as preparation for professional-level proposals and competitions, elegantly narrate the transformation of the structure. Renderings show sunlight streaming over a refurbished facade, catching glimpses of laughter and concentration through floor-to-ceiling windows, and animations reveal how the tables morph, connect, and reshape the room’s function.
The project’s proposed extension seamlessly blends the indoors with the picturesque lakeside, offering shaded decks where games can spill into nature on warmer days. Inviting circulation draws passersby in, while carefully considered materials respect the context and eco-footprint of the park. The effect is at once new and familiar—a gathering place that feels as though it has always belonged.
Championing Community and Continuous Learning
Andrew’s approach goes beyond the architectural; it is rooted in fostering human moments. The board game hub is envisioned not merely as a space for leisure but as a facilitator of intergenerational, cross-cultural, and cross-disciplinary interactions. Whether it’s a group of international students learning a new game from a local, or university staff bonding over a classic, the design celebrates diversity and shared experience.
Such reimaginings are essential in contemporary architectural education, and UnforgetTABLE Games stands as a testament to the value of infusing social consciousness into every intervention. The project resonates with the shifting priorities in how public and quasi-public spaces are programmed for maximum inclusivity, flexibility, and engagement.
Recognition and Future Prospects
The recognition Andrew has gained—including his high 2.1 achievement and the Tutor’s Choice Award—marks him as one to watch. As he embarks on his second year, this project sets a high bar and provides a portfolio centerpiece illustrating his ethos: purposeful design, rooted in context and community, with a flair for innovative, detail-driven solutions.
Connect with Andrew Maghari
For those interested in further discussing the intersection of architecture, play, and social space—or for connections within the industry—Andrew Maghari welcomes engagement. He is easily reachable via LinkedIn or by email at MaghariBAndrew@hotmail.com.
In a sector increasingly mindful of sustainability, adaptability, and social value, projects like UnforgetTABLE Games serve as powerful harbingers of a more connected and playful future. And, with promising young architects like Andrew Maghari leading the way, that future looks not just possible— but inevitable.
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