The planning application for Bristol’s multi-purpose YTL Arena was approved in early March this year. The new stadium aims to put the city firmly on the world stage for live music, sport and entertainment, repurposing the historic Brabazon Hangars, with a capacity of 17,080.
Behind the project, Grimshaw architects, alongside MANICA architects, aim to redesign the central, east and west hangars to create separate hubs for entertainment, food, drink, work and play across a 365-day-a-year calendar. The performance space will offer a variety of different stage configurations and capacities with the ability to support a range of events.
With sustainability high on the agenda of many sports venues at the moment, the stadium will use battery storage systems on site, as well as recycling rainwater and developing a green transport policy for staff and visitors.
In order to ensure the best sound quality within the stadium, internal walls and ceilings will be equipped with sound absorbing materials, and seats will be designed to further reduce reverberation and minimise acoustical changes.
