The Leeds Arena will have one of the most striking and unique Arena designs in Europe. Using an ever-changing kaleidoscope of coloured lights, the honeycomb design will act as a commanding gateway to Leeds city centre and come ‘alive’ at night.
On an evening, the front of the building will change colour or pattern dependant on the show or mood of the arena at the time. The Leeds Arena may be pink for a Pink show, purple for Prince, or green for Green Day! The options are endless and the drama of the evening appearance will provide a major boost to the night-time economy.
Meanwhile, the striking honeycomb design uses a complex mathematical algorithm – a voronoi diagram – to create cellular shapes that are visible on key approaches to the arena. This is the first Arena in Europe to be designed using this method and the stunning design will also help bring about major regeneration of the northern quarter of Leeds city centre.
Opportunities have also been used to make the building energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The roof will collect rainwater to be reused within the building; an area will have a green sedum roof whilst heating will come from air source pumps. Such features will help the Leeds Arena set a new standard for the sustainable performance of arenas in the United Kingdom.
What makes the external design even more special is that the Leeds public had a say in its development. At the public consultation held in September 2009, you outlined a desire for an arena design that was distinctive to Leeds and had environmentally friendly features, good acoustics, glazed panels and outside seating areas. This has all been carefully incorporated into this stunning design.
With construction now under way, the Leeds Arena is now coming ever closer to reality.
Watch the video interview with the architects, Populous, and design champion John Thorp to learn more about the breathtaking Leeds Arena design.