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Arena Futuroscope

Cultural building at the entrance of the Futuroscope.

Located at the entrance to the park, this new building is the first in a succession of buildings on the site, effectively making it the gateway to Futuroscope. The complex has been designed to echo the architecture of the existing buildings and to create a link between the scale of pedestrians and that of the park. The symbolic function of the building is conveyed through the design of the entertainment and cultural venue.

The built complex takes the form of a monolithic sized arena that fits in with its immediate surroundings. By day, the volume is a landmark on the site. On approaching it, the raising of the volume from the ground and the openings arouse the visitor’s curiosity. The visitor can then catch a glimpse of the interior of the complex. At night, the situation is reversed, with the building's shell disappearing in the darkness, and the perforations in it resembling star constellations that animate the surface. The raised volume reveals the interior, warm and vibrant, and links it to the square.

Designing the building structure to be flexible was a major challenge, as it must be able to accommodate some 110 different events each year.

Client : Department of Vienne / NGE Concessions

Location : Poitiers, France

Size : 12 000 m²

Status : Delivered

Date : 2022

Key points

  • Many configurations.
  • Warm interior.
  • Legibility and optimisation of flows.
  • Dialogue with the pedestrian square.

Environmental perfomances

  • Roofs covered with photovoltaic panels.
  • Large pine trees (Pinus nigra and Pinus sylvestris) are planted.
Download the project sheet

Intentions – Design Stance

Ambitions :

The project consists of a volume oriented along the four cardinal points, deliberately detached from the axis of the Futuroscope Avenue. This allows for a general layout that creates distinct spaces around the Arena (main forecourt, parking areas, pedestrian plaza, green space).

The lower level of the building, corresponding to the arena floor, will be accessible at ground level from the maneuvering and delivery area for semi-trailers. The public forecourt and spectator entrance will be located on an upper level, also at grade with the natural terrain on the opposite side of the Arena. As a result, the perception of the building’s volume is minimized, allowing for better integration into its context, while functionality is clearly enhanced. The building’s corner forms a prow-like figure, asserting itself as a landmark and visual signal.

Four legible entities

The four corners of the building are raised in response to the four strong entities of the programme:

  • the entrance for the general public at the front,
  • the VIP entrance and the bodega, facing the Futuroscope
  • the players’ area, which also benefits from the view of the park
  • the areas designed for the administration and permanent or temporary staff during events.

A large public square

The new volume is set up in such a way that a pedestrian public square is created. As a result, the various existing and future entities around it form a legible and remarkable fabric.

This new square is adjacent to :

  • the entrance of the Futuroscope,
  • the zero gravity in progress,
  • the future aquatic activities to the west,
  • the Futuroscope Arena.

Materiality

The architectural style, both inside and outside, highlights entertainment, whether it be sporting, cultural or economic. We have chosen to use few materials.
The facades are clad with metal cladding made of white triangular aluminium composite cassettes, with the integration of triangular glazed frames in the dimensions of the facets.

The undersides are made of wood cladding, protected from the weather, and composed of thin openwork slats. The corner facades are glazed to the full height, a vertical script with vertical posts.
The roof is treated with bituminous waterproofing and equipped with photovoltaic cells.

General Layout

The building is organized over four levels:

  • Level 0 (arena floor)
  • Upper ground floor (main hall)
  • Level 1 (intermediate access to the balcony)
  • Level 2 (upper access to the balcony)

 

The main program areas are distributed across the levels:

  • Public areas
  • VIP areas
  • Catering areas
  • Media areas
  • Player and performer areas
  • Logistics and backstage areas
  • Administration

 

The hall

The hall offers great flexibility, it can host sporting events as well as shows and concerts, and can be adapted according to the size of the audience and the type of seating required (seated/standing/VIP...). Indeed, the lower tiers of the main hall can be completely reconfigured according to use and the desired capacity (from 1530 to 6137 people).

The VIP areas

The stands to the north of the hall are VIP stands which are accessed via VIP lounges. These lounges are glazed both on the circulation and on the hall. The services specific to entertainment and sports activities are available: refreshments, toilets and waiting areas.

The walkway

The public enters the hall through a large walkway. It is a luminous space with unobstructed views over the forecourt through full-height glass façades. It is animated by numerous services specific to sports and entertainment activities: refreshment areas, toilets, waiting areas and reception and information points.

The ceilings follow the slope of the tiers and are clad in wood in continuity with the wooden sub-faces on the outside of the building. The walkway gives access to the many entrance locks to the hall. Finally, it is the starting point for the wide staircases that lead the public to the parterre level and the high stands.

Team

Patriarche (Architecture, Interior Architecture, Signage)
Partners:
Atelier du Moulin, MAS EA, Gamba, NGE, Guintoli, Artelia, Jaillet Rouby, CTE, Essor Groupe, Effectis, FMD, Lagardère Sports, Futuroscope Congrès, Bluerock Sports & Entertainment

Program

Culture-Sport
Public