When compared to European basketball fans, NBA fans can look like they’re at a piano recital.
Arenas in countries like Greece, Turkey, and Israel are packed with folks who stand, chant, cheer, sing, jump, and create chaos during game action, supporting their teams and flaunting their civic pride.
Fans in Barcelona, Spain, are passionate too, so when HOK and Barcelona’s TAC Arquitectes designed the New Palau Blaugrana arena for FC Barcelona, the firm took into account home court advantage.
The 12,000-seat arena will have a seating bowl that emulates a theater environment, with an asymmetrical design that puts more fans on one side of the court in a tighter, steeper configuration. The design will create a loud and visually-intimidating “wall of people” that will psych-out Barca opponents and give spectators a more engaging gameday experience. Also planned are 24 VIP boxes and four sky bars and lounges.
Courtesy HOK. Click photo to enlarge.
The arena will serve as a hub in a larger development that will have a street festival environment. Fans can watch game footage on a large projection screen on the underside of the arena’s curved roof, and they can enjoy a year-round public outdoor concourse with patios, plazas, green spaces, and concession areas.
Construction will begin during the 2017-18 season and finish during the 2019-20 season. The construction is tied in with renovations to FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou soccer stadium, located just across the street.
Related Stories
| Jun 5, 2013
USGBC: Free LEED certification for projects in new markets
In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council is offering free LEED certification to the first projects to certify in the 112 countries where LEED has yet to take root.
| Jun 3, 2013
Construction spending inches upward in April
The U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce announced today that construction spending during April 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $860.8 billion, 0.4 percent above the revised March estimate of $857.7 billion.
| May 31, 2013
Japan to transform canal into world's largest outdoor pool
A wild proposal by the city of Osaka, Japan, would transform the Dotonbori Canal into a 2,625-foot-long, 40-foot-wide pool.
| May 21, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: pools, racquetball courts, bowling alleys, hockey/soccer facilities
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for four building types across 25 metro markets.
| May 20, 2013
Jones Lang LaSalle: All U.S. real estate sectors to post gains in 2013—even retail
With healthier job growth numbers and construction volumes at near-historic lows, real estate experts at Jones Lang LaSalle see a rosy year for U.S. commercial construction.
| May 17, 2013
First look: HKS' multipurpose stadium for Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority (MSFA), the Minnesota Vikings and HKS Sports & Entertainment Group have unveiled the design of the State’s new multi? purpose stadium in Minneapolis, a major milestone in getting the $975 million stadium built on time and on budget.
| May 16, 2013
Chicago unveils $1.1 billion plan for DePaul arena, Navy Pier upgrades
Hoping to send a loud message that Chicago is serious about luring tourism and entertainment spending, Mayor Rahm Emanuel has released details of two initiatives that have been developing for more than a year and that it says will mean $1.1 billion in investment in the McCormick Place and Navy Pier areas.
| May 7, 2013
First look: Golden State Warriors stadium by Snøhetta, AECOM
Architects Snøhetta and AECOM have revealed their latest renderings of a new stadium for NBA basketball team the Golden State Warriors on the waterfront in San Francisco.
| May 2, 2013
Holl-designed Campbell Sports Center completed at Columbia
Steven Holl Architects celebrates the completion of the Campbell Sports Center, Columbia University’s new training and teaching facility.
| Apr 30, 2013
Tips for designing with fire rated glass - AIA/CES course
Kate Steel of Steel Consulting Services offers tips and advice for choosing the correct code-compliant glazing product for every fire-rated application. This BD+C University class is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
