ABOUT
The Pit serves as a versatile and dynamic space designed to accommodate a wide range of occasions, from relaxation to celebration. Equipped with state-of-the-art lighting technology, the area can be expertly manipulated to create the perfect atmosphere for any event. Whether you’re looking to unwind or let loose on the dance floor, the Pit has been carefully crafted to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
BACKGROUND
As someone who typically shies away from the hardware aspect of electronics, it takes something truly special to capture my attention and spark my interest. So when the opportunity presented itself to improve the basement of my fraternity — a space we lovingly referred to as “The Pit” — I knew I had to take it.
To be honest, The Pit wasn’t seeing as much use as it deserved. It was a space with so much potential, but it felt lackluster and uninspired. But as I started brainstorming ways to make it better, I found myself becoming increasingly invested in the project. I knew I wanted to focus on the visual aspect of the space, but I quickly realized that in order to do that, I would have to learn more about electrical engineering and real-time networking. And so I dove headfirst into the challenge.
The process was not always easy. There were times when I felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the complexity of the work. But as I continued to learn and experiment, I found myself becoming more and more enthralled by the possibilities of what I could create. And before I knew it, I had transformed The Pit into a space unlike anything else on our college campus.
FEATURES
One of the key features of the space, The Pit, is the integration of RGB lighting. The use of RGB lighting allows for a vast array of colors and hues to be displayed, creating a dynamic and immersive environment. This lighting system is controlled through a modern control system, allowing for real-time music synchronization and the ability to manipulate the lighting to suit the atmosphere of the space.
When it comes to wiring the lighting setup, the goal was to create completely new setups while also understanding and improving upon existing work. This required a great deal of research to ensure that the safest and highest quality materials and techniques were used.
Another important aspect of The Pit is the inclusion of an arcade machine. The machine operates on a Linux operating system, which is important to ensure compliance with laws around video game piracy. In order to provide the best gaming experience, a great deal of research was conducted to find the best hardware for the controls, such as the joystick and buttons. A personal touch was added to the machine by exploring the arcade games of the past, both before the time the person was born and finding the classics and games that he used to enjoy in the past.
Additionally, The Pit also features the integration of Philips Hue, a smart lighting system. The process of exploring documentation and installing the system was a learning experience, but with the help of the API, it was possible to synchronize events such as lighting changes with the music and overall atmosphere of the space.
Overall, The Pit is a space that has been meticulously designed to provide an immersive and dynamic experience through the use of cutting-edge technology. From the RGB lighting to the arcade machine and smart lighting, every aspect of the space has been carefully researched and curated to ensure that it is both safe and of the highest quality.
WHAT I LEARNED
Working on The Pit was a transformative experience for me, as it pushed me out of my comfort zone and into a realm of new possibilities. I started off with the intention of focusing solely on the software side of things, but as my ideas for the space began to expand, I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea of taking on more physical endeavors. This included learning about electrical engineering and experimenting with different hardware and technologies.
What I came to realize through this process was the incredible feeling of satisfaction that comes from taking an idea from your mind and bringing it to life through physical and digital means. It was incredibly rewarding to see the results of my hard work, and I found myself truly proud of the end product.
This project also required a great deal of research, experimentation, and documentation, which helped me to develop important skills such as problem-solving, organization, and attention to detail. I also came to understand the importance of making knowledge accessible to others. The cycle of people who enjoy this space is usually 4 or 5 years maximum, it’s important that the knowledge I gained during this project is passed on to the next generation so that the space can continue to evolve and improve in the future.
Overall, working on The Pit was an excellent exercise in pushing me out of my comfort zone, experimenting with new technologies and techniques, and learning to make knowledge accessible to others. It was a challenging and rewarding experience that taught me a great deal and left a lasting impact on me.
