3 Arena Central: A Striking Centrepiece
Cladding is virtually complete on this striking centrepiece of a building, right at the heart of Arena Central. Due to open in autumn 2021, Stephen takes a closer look at the development, and how the building is already transforming Arena Central.
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Three Arena Central strikes a distinctive figure on the skyline doesn't it?
At 14-storeys tall, reaching upwards of 73 metres, it will soon become a home from home for several government services, including the new regional HQ for HMRC, in autumn 2021.
Sporting a geometric pattern of hexagonal metallic rainscreen panels, the building sits at the very heart of the Arena Central masterplan where it is already forming a strong identity; wrapping itself entirely around each of the facades to resemble a jewel, or maybe even giving a subtle nod to the former TV show Blockbusters.
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The cladding has been divided into a standardised beehive-like grid, so that the rainscreen system can be incorporated throughout. The cladding sports a bright metallic sheen finish, which is in stark contrast to its near neighbours - but that's not to say it doesn't fit in.
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COMPLIMENTING ITS NEIGHBOURS
MAKE have certainly designed Three Arena Central to be the striking centrepiece of the redevelopment, whilst being fully complimentary of its more established neighbours.
Yes, Arena Central does have an obvious eclectic mix of builds, but they do share, in one form or another, an architectural connection.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Construction%20of%203AC%20-%20Sep%204%20(8).jpg" />Photo by Stephen Giles.
With its angular geometry on full display, there are gentle nods everywhere you look; the double-height pedestrian friendly colonnades highlight this.
Hexagonal in shape, they’re similar in proportion and scale to the nearby Grade-II listed Alpha Tower, and the recently-completed HSBC UK HQ, next door.
Once the building is complete, and it soon will be, they will wrap around three sides of the building and will allow natural light into the recessed first floor, whilst providing an open vista looking outwards onto the new public square.
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These hexagonal features have been designed so internal and external views are both the same, which will allow the tessellating pattern to be enjoyed from both perspectives, whilst also delivering areas of floor-to-ceiling glazing.
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The building will boast recessed windows; adding depth, whilst the chamfered corners will naturally frame the building.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_6702b_3AC_002.jpg" />Photo by Daniel Sturley.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/Construction%20of%203AC%20-%20Sep%204%20(3).jpg" />Photo by Stephen Giles.
This not only connects the relationship between them, but it also connects the dots for the impending public realms at Bank Court (adjacent, complete with water feature), and The Terrace - near Holliday Inn Express.
dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sept 15 Webcam(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Arena Central Webcam: September 15 2020.
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LIGHTING SCHEME
The strategy is quite simple: let the building do the talking! But that’s not to say the building won’t be washed with light.
The ground floor will be internally lit and will be occupied by units. The colonnades will also be uplit, with the metallic finish of the cladding assisting in illuminating the area even further.
The projecting metallic ‘hoods’ will also reflect light to provide a striking view when seen from below. Offices above, subject to operations, will too be lit.
This will undoubtedly create a random pattern of illumination that will complement the facades tessellating pattern, and become an Instagrammers dream.
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With external works nearing completion, the internal fit-out - awarded to ISG - will commence in November and will complete in autumn 2021.
Words and pictures from Stephen Giles, with contributions from Daniel Sturley. Artists Impressions are from MAKE Architects.