The Crown Prince of Denmark has inaugurated the new Royal Arena in Copenhagen, designed by architects 3XN to host national and international music, culture and sports events.
The €134m (US$142.4m, £114.2m) building, which follows a strong Scandinavian design tradition, is formed of an organic podium supporting an elliptical structure with a wave-like semi-transparent facade.
According to the architects, the podium acts as a link to the adjoining neighbourhood – with a variety of small plazas, pockets and gathering areas carved into the perimeter to absorb the movement of spectators and “promote activity and liveliness when the building is not in use.”
The 35,000sq m (376,700sq ft) venue has a capacity between 12,500 and 15,000 depending on the type of activities taking place there. Events already lined up include the European Short Course Swimming Championships, the 2018 World Ice Hockey Championships and concerts by the likes of Bruno Mars, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Restaurants, bars, cafes and a large foyer are open to the public.
During an event, people on the outside of the building will enjoy glimpses of what is happening within through the bright, vertical wooden fins that enclose the glass-aluminium facade in a waving motion, lifting at the natural entry points.
“We started the design process within a radical rethinking of the arena typology, followed by a challenging process with form and materials to create a catalyst for life, social meetings and activities in the new urban area,” said the architects in a statement. “It’s more than just a beautiful setting for outstanding cultural and sporting events – it is designed to be a good neighbour to its community.”
An open day will take place on 26 February, allowing members of the public to take a look behind the scenes at the new facility.
Images and video showcasing the new building will be released shortly.
3XN have previously designed Denmark's national aquarium,
The Blue Planet, and they are currently working on
a sweeping cultural complex in Wallonia, Belgium;
the new Olympic Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland; and
an aquatics centre in the Swedish city of Linkoping.
