Paul Hyett

Credit: 3XN, Adam Mørk

Royal Arena, Copenhagen

Royal Arena is a multi-use indoor arena in Ørestad Syd, a major new expansion to the south of Copenhagen. The project was procured through an international design competition which was won by a team led by Danish architects 3XN. Hyett led the HKS sports team which partnered with 3XN throughout the competition and design development stages. Opened in early 2017, the 16,000-seat facility accommodates ice-hockey, handball and concerts. An extremely popular venue, the Arena has so far hosted concerts that have included Metallica, Rod Stewart, Cirque Du Soleil, Sting, Celine Dion and Elton John as well as the musical Cats. With a powerfully expressed arena form, the building sits on an elevated plinth which forms a major public plaza within this new district.

Credit: 3XN, Adam Mørk

Credit: 3XN, Adam Mørk

Credit: 3XN

ADNEC Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC), owners of the Excel Exhibition Centre in London’s Royal Docks, planned this development to the east of Abu Dhabi comprising a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena and mixed use residential and commercial development. Danish architects 3XN, who had been invited to enter a limited competition comprising five international architects, invited Paul Hyett with HKS to partner as specialist sports architects. The team won the competition. Taking its architectural cues from its physical context in terms of both natural and traditional vernacular form the arena building, and the wider master plan of which it is a part, offer an architecture that is at once both iconic and confidently ‘of its place’.

Credit: 3XN

Credit: 3XN

Optus Stadium, Perth

Perth Stadium, also known by naming rights as Optus Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium commissioned by the West Australian government. The project was procured through an international design competition against the briefing slogan of ‘Fan-First’ which informed the winning team’s approach to all aspects of the design. As part of a Brookfield Multiplex three-practice team comprising architects Hassell, Cox and HKS, Hyett led the HKS sports team which was based in Perth throughout the competition and production stages of the project. Opened in December 2017, the 65,000-seat venue is co-home to the Dockers and Eagles teams and hosts international cricket, rugby and soccer events. Located on a stunning site adjoining the River Swan the building is now a major iconic landmark for both city and state.

Credit: Paul Hyett

Credit: Paul Hyett

Credit: Paul Hyett