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
– Transportation Planning
– Traffic Analysis & Modeling
– Programming & Benchmark Analysis
– Site & Venue Feasibility Studies
– Structural Engineering
– 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 Engineering
Interior Design
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.
NHL Calgary Flames
Project Scotia Place
Location
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Year
2027
Key Personnel
Jeff Goode, Senior Project Designer*
Emily Louchart, Lead Interior Designer*
In the heart of the Culture + Entertainment District, the Event Centre emerges as a striking landmark at the convergence of 12th Avenue and Stampede Trail. Notably, Emily Louchart and Jeff Goode, leveraging their collaborative expertise from a previous firm, played pivotal roles in establishing a clear design vision and goals for this state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue.
Beyond being a premier facility, the Event Centre embodies fundamental principles that prioritize active community spaces and seamless integration into Calgary’s Culture & Entertainment District. The design aims to strike a delicate balance, meeting the needs of various sporting leagues while ensuring flexibility for hosting diverse entertainment, cultural, and commercial events. Positioned as the gateway to Stampede Park, this project is envisioned as the anchor for the surrounding district, complementing neighboring amenities like the soon-to-be expanded BMO Centre.
*Work completed by the listed individuals while employed at a previous firm.
NHL Calgary Flames Scotia Place
NBA Atlanta Hawks
Project
State Farm Arena
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Year 2018
Key Personnel
Ryan Gedney, Design Director*
Jeff Goode, Senior Project Designer*
Emily Louchart, Lead Interior Designer*
The renovation of the Atlanta Hawk’s State Farm Arena transformed the 20-year-old venue to maximize revenue, improve the fan experience, and embody Atlanta’s unique culture. Working with the Hawks and a multitude of local artists, musicians, and designers, Ryan Gedney led the design team in creating a new, welcoming living room for Atlanta. The goal was to influence people to spend their entire evening here, rather than coming only for an event.
From the innovative seating concepts to a completely reimagined food and beverage experience, the 17,000-seat arena creates a new benchmark for sports venue design. Inspired by the BeltLine, an ambitious urban redevelopment project connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods through a 22-mile loop of trails and parks, Ryan’s team designed the arena’s open concourses to create diverse social experiences.
HNTB is partnering with the Atlanta Hawks to enhance premium fan experience zones, redefining the game-day atmosphere and setting new standards at State Farm Arena.
*Work completed by the listed individuals while employed at a previous firm.
NBA Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena
NHL Detroit Red Wings NBA
Detroit Pistons
Project Little Caesars Arena
Location
Detroit, Michigan
Year
2017
Key Personnel
Ryan Gedney - Senior Project Designer*
Jeff Goode, Senior Project Designer*
Little Caesars Arena, home to both the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and NBA’s Detroit Pistons, embraces a deconstructed design that fosters year-round community engagement. Central to this approach is the “Via,” the arena’s central concourse enveloped by a translucent roof structure. This light-filled and temperature-controlled public space is a hub of activity, featuring destination dining, retail, and office spaces that seamlessly connect to the street and the arena.
As a cornerstone of The District Detroit, a 50-block mixed-use development linking downtown and midtown, Little Caesars Arena contributes to the district’s vibrancy. An outdoor events plaza, complemented by a sizable LED video board, extends public use beyond the arena’s confines. The arena’s seating bowl is strategically steep, creating an imposing wall of spectators and establishing it as one of the most formidable venues in the NHL.
Guided by the expertise of the lead design team, comprising Ryan Gedney, Jeff Goode and Emily Louchart, Little Caesars Arena epitomizes a venue where every element is meticulously crafted to elevate the fan experience.
*Work completed by the listed individuals while employed at a previous firm.
NHL Detroit Red Wings / NBA Detroit Pistons Little Caesars Arena
NHL Edmonton Oilers
Project
Rogers Place + ICE District
Location
Edmonton, AB, Canada
Year
2016
Key Personnel
Ryan Gedney - Senior Project Designer*
Emily Louchart - Lead Interior Designer*
Jeff Goode - Senior Project Designer*
Guided by the design leadership of Ryan Gedney and Emily Louchart, the design for Rogers Place and the ICE District in Edmonton ushers in a dynamic era for entertainment just north of downtown. Their innovative approach ensures an active and engaging destination, seamlessly blending aesthetics with functionality.
Within this iconic building, the arena’s design prioritizes sustainability while delivering a premium guest experience. Noteworthy amenities include a full-service restaurant operational on non-game days and a striking, expansive high-definition center-hung scoreboard. The commitment to a superior guest experience is reflected in the diverse seating options, boasting 3,100 club seats, 900 PCL Loge seats, 500 drink rail seats, 300 ozone club seats, 57 Scotiabank executive suites, 24 theater boxes, three clubs, and two club lounges.
The arena’s volumes and forms were designed to create a similar energy and visual identity as a performance venue. By bringing bars and clubs into the seating bowl, the designers have created a vibrant, dynamic environment that offers a premium experience for every guest.
*Work completed by the listed individuals while employed at a previous firm.
NHL Edmonton Oilers Rogers Place + ICE District
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.
NC State University
Project
Reynolds Coliseum Renovations
Location
Raleigh, North Carolina
Year 2016
Key Personnel
Eric Maxwell - Project Designer*
Historic Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of NC State University opened in 1949 as the largest sports venue in the south. One of nine hallowed spaces on campus, Reynolds Coliseum is truly special in the eyes of the Wolfpack. When engaged in the $35 million renovation in the heart of the NC State campus, the design team, led by Eric Maxwell, took special care to maintain the exterior of the building as the icon of NC State Athletics, but provide a modern look and feel on the interior complete with a new Walk of Fame, athletic offices, premium spaces, modified seating bowl, and airconditioning.
*Work completed by the listed individual while employed at a previous firm.
NC State University Reynolds Coliseum Renovations
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.