Would you pay US$1.68 million for The Simulator – a home-racing system room?
You can watch auto racing and then keep the excitement going by taking part in a simulated race
WHAT: THE SIMULATOR
US$1.68 MILLION
WHO: Chris Ballard co-founded Lex Design Agency with Renée Ballard in 2018. The company specialises in retail design and commercial interiors. Chris, who is also the design director, has an industrial and retail design background with more than 18 years’ experience and considers himself a natural problem-solver. He sees design problems as challenges and always comes up with a solution. Before launching his own company, he was based in Hong Kong and oversaw design teams in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Jakarta. Now based in Australia, Lex Design Agency has a growing global client base, and is known for balancing brilliant design with practical application.
Many auto-enthusiasts are also fans of professional racing, and while most may dream of being the next Lewis Hamilton, this is unlikely to become a reality for the majority. However, there is a way to experience the thrill of racing at this level via The Simulator.
Designed by Chris Ballard of Lex Design Agency, The Simulator is the ultimate home-racing system room.
“The Simulator gets people to the track without having to leave home, and does it all in luxury and style,” Ballard says.
“It’s often said that the best way to watch a Formula One race is not at the track, but via the telecast. And every racing enthusiast knows after the race, you just want to jump in a car and get on the track, too. The Simulator gives auto-addicts the best of both worlds,” explains Ballard.
The Simulator has two modes, viewing and racing, both of which involve a 12-metre by 2-metre OLED digital screen, with a 4K cinema-quality screen. “This resolution replicates real life, and the screen covers one entire wall and curves partially around the adjacent walls,” says Ballard.
Hidden ventilation brings in a cross breeze, soft enough to be silent, but powerful enough to tousle one’s hair. Additionally, through advanced lighting technology, the ceiling can be adjusted to reflect daylight or the night sky, complete with clouds, stars and the moon.