Winner: Zillow Hackweek 14 - Project Alien

Winner: Hackweek 14 - Project Alien

Hackweek 14 – First Place: Custom Arcade Cabinet & Embedded Systems Project

I was part of the first - place–winning team at Hackweek 14, where we designed and built a custom, Zillow Group–branded arcade cabinet that combined industrial design, embedded electronics, and retro - emulation software into a fully functional, production - quality installation.

The project was conceived not only as a technical challenge, but as a cultural artifact—a permanent fixture in the break room designed to foster community, creativity, and shared identity.

Hardware Architecture & Embedded Systems

The cabinet’s hardware stack integrated multiple layers of embedded technology: • Raspberry Pi as the primary compute unit running retro - emulation software • Arduino - based custom electronics handling input controls, lighting, and peripheral interfaces • A programmable LED marquee for dynamic branding and visual effects • Custom wiring harnesses and power distribution for reliability and safety

This architecture cleanly separated compute, control, and presentation responsibilities.

Software & Emulation Stack

On the software side: • The Raspberry Pi ran a retro - emulation platform capable of supporting multiple arcade titles • Input events from joysticks and buttons were routed through the Arduino layer for low - latency control • Custom scripts managed boot behavior, game selection, and display output • Branding and UI elements were tailored to reflect Zillow Group’s identity

The system was optimized for instant - on usability and durability in a shared space.

Industrial Design & Physical Fabrication

Significant effort went into the physical and aesthetic design: • Cabinet dimensions and ergonomics were carefully designed for comfort and accessibility • Zillow Group branding was incorporated through custom artwork and lighting • Materials and finishes were selected to withstand heavy daily use • The LED marquee provided both visual appeal and dynamic status display

The result was a visually striking and robust installation.

Cultural Impact & Recognition

Beyond the technical execution, the arcade cabinet became: • A cultural hub within the office • A symbol of engineering creativity and collaboration • A tangible demonstration of rapid, cross - disciplinary problem solving

The project earned first place at Hackweek 14, recognized for its technical depth, craftsmanship, and impact on company culture.