SIGNPOSTING
5
To ensure players didn’t miss Calvin’s
lookout, the team painted “To
Command Center” in big letters on the stairs
andaddedasignabovethelookout
entrance. An electric cable traces the path,
“drawing a literal line for them” says Bell.MOVING ON
3
Little touches make it clear Sam
outlived Calvin. Sam’s height marking
on the door leave Calvin’s behind, Sam’s fort
bridge has been taken down and the fort
itself is used for box storage. Sam also has
the aforementioned liquor and cigarettes.FORT-LESS
1
The room didn’t always have its
distinctive opposing forts. Instead it
was a ‘T’ shaped space – two lofted bunk
beds joined by a single set of stairs between
them.Thefortsideacamearoundthesame
time as Calvin’s death by swingset story.
SPACE RACE
4
Calvin’s love of space came because it
paired well with the story of wanting to
go high on a swingset. Sam’s story was
themed around photography, so his side
picks up those references with the
darkroom, tripod and so on.
LOW ENTRY
2
Crawling into the room, you can only
see Calvin’s side – a ten-year-old’s
room. “The player gets an immediate read of
‘kids room’ — but when they stand and turn
and see Sam’s liquor and cigarettes and
camera tripod, it’s a surprise,” says Bell.BELL’S OWN HISTORY
6
“I had a blast designing this room ...
inspired by fond memories of building
forts with my brother Stephen and little
cousin Shane, roleplaying cops and robbers
or trying not to hurt each other while
wrestling and playing King of the Hill Bed.”LITTLE BOYS’ ROOM
One of the most striking areas inWHATREMAINSOFEDITHFINCH is
the twins’ room. Designer Chris Bell picks out key details. By Philippa Warr
2345NEWS | OPINION | DEVELOPMENT