Arenas
HNTB’S ARCHITECTURE PRACTICE
Design That Moves People
HNTB has a long history of delivering innovative and impactful sports and entertainment venues, helping municipalities, universities, and professional teams create world-class destinations that meet evolving industry demands. We have led the way in designing stadiums, arenas, ballparks, and entertainment districts that elevate the guest experience while ensuring long-term operational success. Our approach prioritizes innovation, incorporating advancements in premium seating, immersive digital experiences, and adaptable venue layouts that maximize flexibility beyond game day. By seamlessly blending new technologies with architectural excellence, we help clients create iconic venues that are not only state-of-the-art but also deeply connected to their communities.
Sustainability and economic responsibility are at the core of our design strategies, ensuring that sports and entertainment venues are both environmentally conscious and financially viable. We focus on energy-efficient systems, responsible material sourcing, and resilient design features that reduce operational costs while enhancing sustainability. By transforming venues into multi-use destinations that support year-round programming—including concerts, conventions, and community events— HNTB helps clients drive return on investment and create lasting value for fans, teams, and cities alike. Through thoughtful planning and forward-thinking design, we continue to redefine what’s possible in sports and entertainment architecture—delivering venues that are innovative, adaptable, and built for the future.
Sports Architecture Services
– Architectural Design
– Branding & Graphic Design
– Civil Engineering
– Code & Life Safety Reviews
– Cost Estimating
– Facility Assessments
– Fundraising Graphics & Visualization Tools
– Interior Design
– Landscape Architecture
– Master Planning
– On-Site Construction Administration
– Programming & Benchmark Analysis
– Site & Venue Feasibility Studies
– Structural Engineering
– Transportation Planning
– Traffic Analysis & Modeling
– Urban Planning & Master Planning
Sports Clients
Our talented team of architecture professionals are proud of our association and our service as trusted advisors to these sports clients. This list represents both the HNTB sports and entertainment portfolio along with the clients of industry experts who have recently joined HNTB. Our team possesses a strength of experience in stadium documentation and delivery, including projects completed at HNTB and with prior firms.
NBA Milwaukee Bucks
Project
Fiserv Forum
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Year
2017
Services
Architectural Design
Civil and Structural Engineering0
Landscape Architecture
Site Design
Sustainable Design
Urban Planning
HNTB, in association with Populous and Eppstein Uhen, delivered a new sports and entertainment complex for the Milwaukee Bucks in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The new 18,000-seat arena replaced the aging BMO Harris Bradley Center and was designed as part of a larger downtown development plan – forming the Deer District.
The arena’s design reflects the heritage, history and personality of Milwaukee while actively projecting progress, accessibility and a renewed sense of community. The state of the art, 714,000-SF arena is the hub of the Deer District entertainment development and the engine that drives growth in downtown Milwaukee.
Over the coming years, the 30-acre district surrounding Fiserv Forum is the largest development project ever undertaken in downtown Milwaukee. Combining entertainment, residential and commercial spaces, the new district will transform Milwaukee and serve as a catalyst for driving development throughout the community and greater Milwaukee region.
University of Kentucky
Project
Memorial Coliseum
Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Year
2024
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
HNTB, in association with RossTarrant Architects, is currently engaged with the University of Kentucky to renovate the historic Memorial Coliseum. The facility, which opened in 1950, was built as a memorial to Kentuckians who had died in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. This historic arena is now home to three UK women’s athletics teams: basketball, gymnastics and volleyball.
The primary goal for the project continues to be the modernization of Memorial Coliseum with specific changes meant to enhance the way the building is used today, while respecting the character and heritage of this important hallowed space on the UK campus. Improvements to the home of women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics will enhance recruiting opportunities for these programs.
University of Kentucky Memorial Coliseum
Virginia Tech University
Project
Cassell Coliseum Modernization
Location
Blacksburg, Virginia
Year
Ongoing
Services
Architecture Design
Interior Design
HNTB, in collaboration with Menefee Architecture, recently completed a study with Virginia Tech to deliver a long-term, strategic vision for Cassell Coliseum. This renovation and expansion focused on maintaining Cassell’s home-court advantage and reputation as one of the most difficult competition venues for visiting teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Increasing premium seating and fan experience opportunities through unique viewing and gathering spaces. Enhancing comfort for all patrons by modernizing fan amenities throughout the coliseum
As the front door to athletics and the heart of campus, the design concept prioritizes respecting and complementing the Coliseum’s overall arched form defined by the iconic exterior concrete flying buttresses. A simple, continuous, rectangular form encloses an expanded main concourse and new upper concourse.
Virginia Tech University Cassell Coliseum Modernization
William & Mary
Project
Kaplan Arena and Sports Performance Center
Location
Williamsburg, Virginia
Year
Ongoing
Services
Architectural Design
Interior Design
HNTB, in collaboration with Moseley Architects, is currently engaged with William & Mary to revitalize the historic Kaplan Arena – long considered the heartbeat of Tribe Athletics.
The renovation will include a new entrance and lobby, an enhanced student section with a lounge that all students can use throughout the year, upgraded spectator seating, premium hospitality areas, a courtside club, concourse club seating and a new academic center. The project also includes a state-of-the-art score board featuring video replay, ribbon boards and a new sound system; and improvements to concession stands, bathrooms and locker rooms, among other priority areas. The arena will remain open during all phases of construction.
The new 36,000-SF multi-use Sports Performance Center will feature a strength and conditioning area, two hydrotherapy pools and a sports medicine space with ample room to evaluate and treat sports injuries. The center will also provide the basketball and volleyball teams with a new practice area housing a full-sized court.
William & Mary Kaplan Arena and Sports Performance Center
HNTB’s Sports Design Team
Our team possesses a strength of experience in sports and entertainment venue design, including projects completed at HNTB and with prior firms. Collectively, these key team members have unique combination of experiences that have a foundation in best practices balanced against being innovative trend-setters. Supporting this team, HNTB’s sports practice comprises industry experts that can be called upon as this design and planning effort warrants. Our bench strength includes individuals dedicated to site planning, fan experience, player and team development. Contributing to our team’s strength, HNTB’s customized benchmarking and analytics experts focused on return on investment and revenue maximization. Our collective intellectual inventory allows us to pair the right expertise and experience to meet your guiding principles and priorities.