White Arkitekter wins competition to design Gothenburg’s new Arena Quarter

Gothenburg’s new Arena Quarter is a cluster of facilities. It comprises a multi-purpose arena set to replace the historic Scandinavium, the smaller Annexet arena replacing the former Lisebergshallen, a training rink, logistics and service facilities, an inner arena square, a hotel building, as well as shops and restaurants at street level.

White’s winning proposal has been developed in collaboration with Arup, Allies & Morrison, Stadiadesign and Sweco. Over the summer, the public had the opportunity to provide feedback on all the competition entries.

– It is an immense honour to have been selected as the winner while competing with so many high-quality proposals, says Fredrik Källström, Lead Architect at White Arkitekter.

In White Arkitekter’s winning proposal for the new Arena Quarter, different parts of the city are connected through a new urban axis, passing via two new squares and a generous park. The scheme has the capacity to host the largest events while also creating new city blocks that strengthen the urban link between Sankt Sigfrids plan and Götaplatsen. The district is designed to harmonise with the scale and character of the surrounding city.

The new arenas will accommodate both larger events and greater numbers of spectators than before, while at the same time enhancing the green character of the district. The ground floors invite activity, with inclusive new spaces that encourage people to linger rather than simply pass through.

The rooftops of the new quarter are planned as an interconnected park across several levels, offering areas for adventure play, outdoor spaces for nearby schools, or a recreational destination in its own right – for both visitors and locals.

– With the Arena Quarter we are taking a holistic approach to the entire district, adding far more than just an arena – despite the large scale! What I particularly value is how, together with our partners, we have created a multi-layered proposal that weaves the new arena district into the fabric of Gothenburg in many different ways, says Jacob Sahlqvist, Director of White Arkitekter’s Gothenburg office.