Bath firms Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects and BuroHappold Engineering are helping Bristol get its long-awaited arena after being selected as part of the team chosen to design to £90m, 12,000-capacity venue.
Unveiling their plans earlier this week, the team led by architects Populous – designers of the London Olympic Stadium and O2 Arena – said the venue would be able to host the world’s biggest performers when it opens in less than two years.
It will also be the greenest arena ever built and feature state-of-the-art acoustic technology. Populous senior principal Nicholas Reynolds said: “There is no act touring at the moment that could not play this arena. We want to make it a must-play venue for the entertainment business.”
London-based Populous’ winning elliptical (stretched circle) shaped design was selected from a five-strong shortlist which featured some of the world’s top architects.
BuroHappold Engineering group director Steve Macey said: “Bristol Arena is set to become an exemplar of sustainability in action: an inspirational environment that reflects Bristol’s ambitions and culture, and delivers the best possible experience for visitors and city residents alike.
“The arena will be a hub of activity that works in harmony with the local environment and communities, showcasing cutting-edge design and engineering and creating lasting experiences and memories for all. BuroHappold Engineering is proud to be a part of this ambitious and innovative initiative.”
Peter Clegg from Feilden Clegg Bradley added: “Framed by the railway and the River Avon, the arena has been designed to reflect the proud history and heritage of the city of Bristol, creating an iconic new form within the city, which is respectful and responsive to its unique location. While the masonry plinth base will reflect the surrounding buildings, the beautiful crystalline upper form will allow the arena to continually adapt to mirror the changing face and form of the city.”
The arena is designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, making it the UK’s most sustainable arena: a fitting tribute to the 2015 European Green Capital. Using cutting edge design principles, the arena will feature an innovative displacement ventilation system and provision for the biggest building based photovoltaic system in the city. It will also help create a new cycle and pedestrian link between the Bristol’s main t
rain station and residential areas to the south and east.
Mayor of Bristol George Ferguson, a past president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The Populous team has presented an innovative design for a horseshoe-shaped arena that will allow us real flexibility for programming, for now and into the future, offering both performers and audiences an outstanding acoustic and visual experience.
“The new arena shone out as the best of five great designs and will sit comfortably on the Arena Island site next to Temple Meads and Bath Road. I have been determined that we achieve the best arena yet and the commitment towards achieving a BREEAM ‘excellent’ environmental rating adds to Bristol’s reputation as European Green Capital.
“Although Bristol is one of the last cities in the UK to build an arena, this design is an evolution of some the world’s best venues and gave the expert panel real confidence in the team’s ability to deliver a very special venue for the region.”
Mayor Ferguson also said he would love to see Bristol bands such as Massive Attack or Portishead play at the arena – possibly on the first night. ”It would be great to open with a bang,” he said.
The judging panel that selected the winning design included veteran music promoter Harvey Goldsmith – described by Mayor Ferguson as someone who had opened more arenas than anyone else in the industry.
He said: “Bristol needs a fully integrated, multi-use and flexible arena. The winning team have presented a concept that fits the criteria. They understood how an arena works not only from the public’s point of view, but also from the promoter and artist stand point. I think their understanding of the site combined with their knowledge of building arenas made it easy for us to choose this team as the winners. I believe that the new Bristol Arena will rank amongst the best in the UK.”
Bristol City Council’s arena project team will now work with Populous, Feilden Clegg Bradley and Buro Happold Engineering on the detailed design to be submitted for planning approval in the summer.
Construction work will start on a derelict site next to Temple Meads station – now part of Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone – next spring, with the building expected to open in late 2017.
Pictured, top: The Populous, Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects and Buro Happold Engineering team's winning design for the Bristol Arena. Above, right, the foyer and the interior layout for a rock concert
