News
Date: May 8th 2008 Project: Pittsburgh Penguins Arena
Sloping Site, Surroundings and Stunning Views to Downtown Dictate Arena's Form
HOK Sport's design of a new Pittsburgh Penguins hockey arena was approved unanimously by the Pittsburgh city planning commission Tuesday night. The new arena will sit just south of the team's current building, Mellon Arena.
"While the site – with its 90-foot-slope from end to end – was a challenge, it did present beautiful views into one of the most dramatic downtown vistas in our country," said Wayne London, AIA, HOK Sport project manager. "We created an arena that not only capitalizes on those views, but also one that responds to its neighborhood in terms of form and scale."
Just like the three rivers that formed the city, Pittsburgh's new professional hockey arena is bound on three sides by the existing street grid to form an arena that meets the needs of its users yet acts as a beaming civic icon.
The arena's signature element – a glazed circulation spine – provides a dramatic marker in the night sky. Beginning at the building's Fifth Avenue entry, this glass façade lets patrons experience a dynamic spatial experience as they move through the building. The spine's terminus offers stunning views of the Centre Avenue Plaza, the existing Epiphany Church and the downtown skyline. From outside, the spine will come alive with people, movement and activity.
With edges shaped both by elevation change and the historic Epiphany Church, the arena's Centre Avenue Plaza is a microcosm of the Pittsburgh urban condition. The plaza also provides a respectful transition space from the church to the arena while capitalizing on views to the downtown skyline.
Just beyond this entrance on Centre Avenue is another entry which acknowledges the importance of the city's Hill District. This entry allows access from existing Mellon Arena parking and offers on-grade entrance to the arena's suite level, ensuring an active urban presence along the Centre Avenue edge of the arena.
More than just an arena, the building is respectful to its surroundings. Along its Fifth Avenue edge, the height of the building's mass is reduced to correspond to the adjacent historic buildings. This façade also will incorporate street-level retail to assist in the revitalization effort along this important corridor.
"The new Penguins arena will be energetic and electric," said Patrick Lempka, AIA, HOK Sport project designer. "Whether glowing at night or interacting with its surroundings during the day, the arena's blend of glass, brick and metal combine to create a modern, yet reverent, response to its historic neighborhood."
The 18,500-seat arena is scheduled to break ground as early as this summer, with a planned opening prior to the start of the 2010-2011 season.
The arena represents the third HOK Sport-designed building for the city. The firm also designed PNC Park and Heinz Field, both of which have been recognized as two of the industry's most prominent facilities.
For further information please contact
Gina Leo at HOK Sport (Kansas City)
Telephone: +1 816 221 1500
Facsimile: +1 816 221 1578
Email media@hoksve.com