Populous designs world first net zero carbon arena

Brisbane-based global architecture and design firm, Populous is setting new venue standards for sustainability, innovation and fan experience with the design of recently opened Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, USA.

Populous was engaged as Architect of Record by Oak View Group and the City of Seattle to design Climate Pledge Arena with three goals: to create the most sustainable arena in the world, to responsibly revitalise a historic landmark and to cultivate the ultimate fan experience.

Located in Seattle’s Uptown neighbourhood and on the western edge of Seattle Center, the arena serves as the home venue for the National Hockey League’s Seattle Kraken and the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Seattle Storm. A multifunctional venue by design, Climate Pledge Arena will also host many concerts and other events year-round, with a seating capacity for up to 18,600.

Climate Pledge Arena’s name stems from Amazon’s naming-rights partnership, which enlists the facility in The Climate Pledge, a global initiative that commits signatories to net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040.

Populous senior principal and architect Chris Paterson said the sustainable principles at the heart of the Climate Pledge Arena herald a new breed of major venues we will see all over the world.

“The numerous sustainable practices and operations include on-site solar energy designed on the atrium roof, water conservation systems and zero waste initiatives.

“The adaptive reuse of the existing 1960s building preserves many of the character-defining features while celebrating an important and cherished landmark for the city to host a variety of events, sports and music concerts.

Paterson added “The fully-integrated transportation plan subsidises mass transit for fans with space for electric vehicle charging stations and bike valet services while also providing strong connections with the monorail.

“These sustainable design strategies set a new bar for the global sports and events industry and this is what Populous is aiming to do right around the world.”

Populous’ design also preserves the site’s longest-living tenants: 67 London Plane trees that hold landmark status from the 1962 World’s Fair. These trees maintain a massive canopy on the site, aid in carbon capture and connect surrounding neighbourhoods with the expansive Seattle Centre campus.

Unlike any other arena video display, Populous designed the world’s first dual suspended arena scoreboards — a signature element of Climate Pledge Arena.

Behind this new design lies a thorough analysis of on-ice and on-court action for hockey and basketball, spectator and athlete sightlines, and flexibility for shows and concerts. The result is a pair of distinctly shaped video displays that places video content in an ideal location for spectators and improves the atmosphere and connection between fans on opposite sides of the seating bowl. Setting this forward-thinking design innovation under the historic roof honours the legacy of the building, which was to showcase futuristic ideas and exhibits as part of the ‘World of Tomorrow’ theme of the World’s Fair.

Paterson explains “the dual scoreboards are one of the many examples of innovation in fan experience incorporated into Climate Pledge Arena.

“These are unexpected, incredibly dynamic and will allow fans to consume digital content in an entirely new way. They are the centrepieces to an entertainment experience unlike any other.

“These features are amazing and exciting, and we’ll be looking forward to the many ways Populous can develop these ideas over the next decade as Queensland prepares to host the 2032 Olympic Games.”

Climate Pledge Arena’s name stems from Amazon’s naming-rights partnership, which enlists the facility in The Climate Pledge, a global initiative that commits signatories to net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040.

Populous collaborated with the owners, a public-private partnership between Oak View Group, Seattle Kraken Hockey and Seattle Center, as well as project manager CAA ICON and construction partner MA Mortenson to bring the sustainable design and historic vision to life.

As a result, Climate Pledge Arena is poised to become the world’s first International Living Future Institute-certified net zero carbon arena.

Image top: The arena’s moniker enlists the facility in The Climate Pledge, committing signatories to net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040 Credit Climate Pledge Arena ; image above: The arena has a pair of distinctly shaped video displays as well as the arena’s ice being created from rainwater harvested from the roof. Credit Populous