Images: Populous
Architecture and design firm Populous has lifted the lid on the design process behind The Londoner Arena, a new multi-purpose venue which recently opened in Macau.
The arena, which has a capacity of 6,000, was designed by Populous from its Asia-Pacific headquarters. The amphitheatre-style space is located within The Londoner Macao integrated resort and is capable of hosting concerts, sporting events, gala dinners, DJ performances, product launches and conferences.
The Londoner Arena officially opened on May 25 with an event that was attended by David Beckham, a global ambassador for Sands, which operates the wider resort.
Ross Summergreene, an associate principal at Populous who served as the lead architect for the arena, said: “The Londoner Arena was designed with both the guest and artist in mind, ensuring to create memorable experiences for anyone entering the venue.
“We did this by ensuring there is a variety of premium hospitality offerings, VIP lounges, meet-and-greet spaces, elevated pre-function areas and concessions, and of course, a state-of-the-art performance space that can house almost any event or show possible.”
A key design element of the arena was to ensure all seats have premium sightlines regardless of what show is taking place at the venue. “Even the most peripheral of seats have excellent views to the stage,” said Summergreene. “The seating bowl design also includes telescopic front tiers that can be truncated to various positions and allows for increased venue flexibility for shows and performance types.”
The venue features extensive back-of-house facilities, including a range of artist dressing rooms, touring company offices, operational staff facilities, support spaces and dedicated star performer facilities.
Populous also led the interior design of the venue and was tasked with finding a design that responds to the ‘Londoner’ theme applied across the precinct. Paul Foskett, Populous’ head of interior design in Asia-Pacific, said his team drew inspiration from the Victorian Neo-Gothic expressions of exposed metalwork and steel detailing akin to London’s St Pancras station.
Foskett added: “Ornate ceiling coffer designs are repeated throughout the pre-function spaces and suites with entry portals signifying VIP spaces and expressed arches help break down the transition between The Londoner Arena and the existing Londoner Macao corridors.”
For VIP and VVIP guests attending the arena, there are four bunker suites with furniture, big-screen LED TVs with live-feed support, full video and audio capabilities, refreshments and private entrances to the auditorium. The arena is located five minutes from Macau International Airport.
Share this