project focus
The giant dome of the arena rises to 35m in height and its skin of aluminium shingles is finished in graduated shades of mint green and brown. The varying shapes of the glazing are emphasised by the use of Sotech’s hexagonal perforated aluminium feature panels fixed back to a lightbox and adjoining the glazing. Sotech worked with Lakesmere to
achieve an integrated solution for over 400sq m of aluminium feature panels and achieved an economical method of producing the 9mm perforations with the use of a sophisticated cluster tool enabling a number of holes to be punched simultaneously across a wide and complex variation of shapes and sizes. The perforated feature panels subtly
echo the cellular nature of the aluminium shingles during the day, but at night the seemingly randomly patterned perforations in the Sotech aluminium feature panels give way to an illuminated tracery, providing an almost psychedelic lighting experience featuring a palette of vivid colours. Hailed as one of the most sustainable
arenas in the UK, the building achieved a BREEAM Very Good at design stage and EPC rating B. Key to making the venue sustainable was BAM Construction’s use of building information modelling (BIM) technology to run the entire construction programme virtually, identifying potential problems in advance and ensuring the
Colour-changing LEDs
Illuminating the external facade was a challenge for the design team, in terms of positioning the luminaires and avoiding shadows from the acute angles involved.
Philips ColorGraze colour-changing LED lighting was selected to illuminate the distinctive mesh areas created by the honeycomb architecture.
The Philips luminaires are used to provide colour-changing lighting using red, green and blue energy-efficient LEDs with 9 degree beam angles to provide an almost infinite choice of colours with a high level of saturation. Control is delivered through a Pharos system which can be accessed via an internet-based control interface for ease of access by the venue operators.
ColorGraze features PowerCore technology, which uses single leaders and jumpers cables to link the products, avoiding the need for separate drivers or data cabling.
The combination of Pharos controls and PowerCore system enables the arena to adapt lighting scenes to suit each event, with potential for linking to triggers such as motion, temperature and music inputs.
www.philips.co.uk/lighting
envelope specialist Lakesmere was responsible for the installation of the venue’s external façade as well as various roofing packages including the main roof. The company worked with BAM Construction to devise a specification that would satisfy the vision of the design team while also providing a practical and economical solution. The Lakesmere team suggested the use of a built-up cladding system featuring aluminium shingles and perforated rainscreen cladding, which come to life through the use of kaleidoscopic lighting.
most efficient delivery of the arena. The contractor saved £350,000 by using BIM to identify potential clashes and risks. A multi-skinned envelope and a double
layered acoustically sealed roof prevents noise disturbing nearby residents, while the front of the building incorporates LED lighting which changes colour depending on the show.
www.populous.com www.bam.co.uk www.lakesmere.com www.sotech-optima.co.uk
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