White Arkitekter wins competition to design Gothenburgs new Arena Quarter

– The new arena will be a venue for experiences that create lifelong memories. But it is also so much more: greener, more vibrant, and a place that invites people to spend time beyond major sporting events and concerts. Our concept is as much about creating world-class arenas as it is about giving the people of Gothenburg a new living room, says Johan Lundin, Lead Architect at White Arkitekter.

Gothenburg’s new Arena Quarter is a cluster of facilities. It comprises a multi-purpose arena set to replace the historic Scandinavium, the smaller Annexet arena replacing the former Lisebergshallen, a training rink, logistics and service facilities, an inner arena square, a hotel building, as well as shops and restaurants at street level.

White Arkitekter’s winning proposal has been developed in collaboration with Arup, Allies & Morrison, Stadia Design and Sweco. Over the summer, the public had the opportunity to provide feedback on all the competition entries.

– The strength of the proposal is that the arena is allowed to take its rightful place as a destination, while the surrounding podium can be filled with shops and restaurants for everyday life. Together with the annex and supporting functions, the arena forms a coherent whole that we look forward to developing further with the winning team, says Jerker Westerberg at Higab, the municipal property company that will develop the Arena Quarter.

At the core of the design lies a holistic approach that offers much more than an arena. In White Arkitekter’s winning proposal for the new Arena Quarter, different parts of the city are connected through a new urban axis, passing via two new squares and a generous park. The scheme has the capacity to host the largest events while also creating new city blocks that strengthen the urban link between Sankt Sigfrids plan and Götaplatsen. The district is designed to harmonise with the scale and character of the surrounding city.

The new arenas will accommodate both larger events and greater numbers of spectators than before, while at the same time enhancing the green character of the district. The ground floors invite activity, with inclusive new spaces that encourage people to linger rather than simply pass through. The rooftops of the new quarter are planned as an interconnected park across several levels, offering areas for adventure play, outdoor spaces for nearby schools, or a recreational destination in its own right – for both visitors and locals.

Contact White Arkitekter:
Johan Lundin, Arkitekt SAR/MSA, Partner
+46 705 28 23 64
johan.lundin@white.se

Contact Higab:
Jerker Westerberg, Projektchef Nya arenor
+46 31-368 53 93
jerker.westerberg@higab.se