Design a Great Civic Building

Principle 3: Design a great civic building on par with City Hall, Reading Terminal and the PSFS building.

The arena must set the tone for the character and quality of design on East Market, using materials of substance and lasting consequence. Allowing the inside to be more visible to the street, incorporating public art worthy of the city’s heritage, and designing gathering spaces both inside and outside that serve as everyday great civic rooms could help to create a sense of place and a new civic landmark.

How have other cities done this?

In Philadelphia, many of our sports arenas have been corralled together in an area of the city that has allowed for a more sprawling architecture centered on functional design. But this proposal brings the arena into the heart of Center City and thus necessitates a departure from a one-size-fits-all architectural design. To succeed as both a venue for the Sixers and as a vibrant destination for Philadelphians, as well as not overwhelm its surroundings, 76Place must respond in specific ways to this particular urban site, and it must be designed to fuel not just team but also civic pride. Successful urban arenas have become landmarks that reflect the culture and spirit of their location. With the right considerations, 76Place – like the Barclays Center in Brooklyn – can become an iconic landmark that is a source of pride for Philadelphians.

Figure 1: Barclays Center

Figure 2: Barclays Center

Figure 3: Barclays Center

Figures 1-3: The Barclays Center is an 18,000 seat muti-purpose arena in Brooklyn, NY. The arena is an urban site bordered by two major commercial corridors, 11 subway lines, and a commuter railroad. The design has been called “extroverted” and “imaginative” with the exterior creating an “unexpected civic presence.” This civic presence is largely due to the exterior being wrapped with a pre-rusted metal skin and its broad opening that creates a permeable and pedestrian centric perimeter. The commitment to a quality and innovative design that uses materials evocative of the industrial heritage of Brooklyn come together to make this a visually impressive piece of civic architecture that enhances the spirit of the site and has solidified the Barclays Center’s position as a New York City landmark.

Photos by Ajay Suresh, Rhododendrites and Lucas Richarz

What to know

The current design approach, if not developed further, misses the opportunity to create a significant civic landmark with enduring quality and connection to the surrounding urban environment.

Lack of Architectural Distinctiveness and Local Identity: The proposed arena design lacks unique or iconic architectural features that connect it to Philadelphia’s identity, culture, or history. The building’s design is garish, banal and commercial and appears as if could be situated in any city, in a downtown, or a suburban location, with no elements that distinctly communicate, “This is Center City Philadelphia.”

Material Selection and Durability: Renderings of the arena depict vertical wood panels on opaque portions of the facade, raising questions about material choice. Wood (real or simulated) is not contextually aligned, nor does it have a precedence in Center City’s architectural heritage. Wood also lacks the durability and enduring appeal expected of a lasting civic landmark. If simulated wood is intended, the choice could appear inauthentic or unable to withstand weather and time as effectively as other materials.

Transparency and Connection to the Street: While initial renderings suggest a relatively transparent facade, particularly, along Market Street, the actual design may not live up to this potential, based on structural issues raised by the City’s design reviews. The layout of operational facilities on the ground floor limits transparency and creates a barrier between the interior and street-level activity. Without this visual connection, the arena risks feeling closed off and disconnected from the city’s public realm.

Figure 4: Chase Center

Figure 5: Chase Center

Figure 6: Chase Center

Figure 7: Chase Center

Figures 4-7: The Chase Center has been acknowledged for its impact on modernizing the concept of an arena. Rather than a stand-alone sports venue, the urban-centric Chase Center was conceived of as both an entertainment center and a transportation hub. The inclusion of significant restaurant and retail space combined with 3.2 acres of public spaces and open space are components of the development that have enabled it to become both an arena and a community landmark. Because of a commitment to design excellence --specifically centered on the public spaces and the pedestrian realm - plus real investments focused on connections – whether through transit accessibility or streetscape improvements --the Chase Center is succeeding as an economic engine for San Francisco.

Photos by Willowcharter, Christopher Michel, Américo Toledano and Tony Wasserman

Questions we should be asking

Can public art be incorporated to match the city’s excellence in great civic art works?
Can the design build on great moments of transparency in the current design concept, allowing the inside to be visible to the street and the drama of the seating bowl to be exposed, by extending this principle to other areas of the building?
Can the building be constructed of materials of real and lasting consequence that sets a high bar for development excellence on under-developed parcels on this strip of Market Street?

Best Practices

Incorporating a sports arena into the urban fabric is a complex task. It is a massive building that must function seamlessly -- doing everything it can to maximize the fan experience. But it is a mistake to think that an arena is just a building for sports. The arena must also achieve something intangible – it must become a place where memories are made and where the city’s collective identity is forged. It is essential that 76Place carefully considers the intangible factors and commits to developing a civic landmark that can serve the public and create a sense of place and pride every day. Other cities have shown us that it is possible. With a commitment to bold designs, unique architectural elements, striking exteriors, dynamic facades, great public spaces, and an innovative use of materials, design can be the driver and can ensure that the arena becomes an iconic landmark for Philadelphia and for the Sixers.