VOLKSWAGEN ARENA ISTANBUL
Volkswagen Arena is located in Uniq Istanbul (Ayazağa Culture Center) and strives to become one of Europe's distinct entertainment facilities. Along with live concerts and world famous shows and dance performances, through its screen technology, it is also possible to create smaller venues that accommodate corporate and other special events.
While the acoustic infrastructure of Volkswagen Arena provides superior sound quality, the fast "load in/load out" system allows for the easy execution of consecutive events. With a 286 ton load carrying capacity of the roof, the space allows for many different types of events and performances to take place. The total capacity of the space is 5800 people and is comprised of: 304 skybox seats, 822 premium seats, 1392 fixed tribune seats, 562 appendable tribune seats, 2160 seating at the entrance level and 3300 standing room only at the entrance level. Volkswagen Arena provides their clients with privileged services through their Skybox memberships and private entrances.
Volkswagen Arena is a 12.000 sqm. concert hall composed of both concrete and steel. While the general structure of the building is concrete, the loggias (theater boxes) found in the interior are composed of steel structures. The roof is carried by steel construction as well. Throughout the design process, great care was taken in order to take advantage of both the visual and structural characteristics of concrete.
A visual unification has been achieved through the use of exposed concrete in the flooring, walls, and ceiling. It has been proposed that the surfaces of the exposed concrete walls, ceilings, and floors would be appropriate for the projection of visual effects and event advertisements. With this the visitors are welcomed by very entertaining lobby and drinking/dining areas before entering the main venue.
As the concert hall was being designed, the structural characteristics of concrete were used in order to strengthen the acoustic quality of the space. With the unified form of the concrete flooring, proper acoustic insulation was achieved. In addition to this, the precast details of the stands were also designed in order to provide for sound insulation. The space that was left at the back portion of these tribunes was designed to be used as a 'bass trap.' With the proper use of concrete, not only does the space provide high quality sound in the interior of the venue, but also optimum sound insulation so as not to disturb anyone in the spaces surrounding the main venue.
The columns that are found in the entrance lobby are framed with LED lights. These frame contours are repeated creating a certain rhythm within the space and bringing the depth of the space to the forefront.
In order to maintain a general visual continuity in the space, the way finding texts and numbers are either in black or RAL 1028 yellow and on either exposed concrete or black surfaces. The same color arrangements are also used throughout the interior spaces in order to reinforce the visual unity of the space.
The shiny black lacquered lockers found in the side foyers are arranged to stick out from the wall at varying distances, creating visual movement along the wall. The light maple elements found above the lockers adds a different rhythm to the space and also emphasizes the depth of the corridor. In the VIP lounge, the same light maple material is used in the flooring and is contrasted with black glass walls, an exposed concrete ceiling, and stainless steel seating.
With at least 5000 guests coming to each performance, the flooring of the Volkswagen Arena has been designed to accommodate such a load. Through a special pouring method, the concrete flooring has been designed to withstand erosion and heavy use.
The modern design and 21 exclusive dining and drinking spaces of Volkswagen Arena, create a unique atmosphere, thus adding to the entertainment experience.
ROOF LAYERING
SPORTING EVENTS
Volkswagen Arena, while being one of the few multi-purpose event spaces in Istanbul, has added a new function to their repertoire. Along with concerts, plays, performances, and meetings, Volkswagen Arena is hosting sporting events.
In order to accommodate a basketball court that meets the standards of the Euroleague, Volkswagen Arena has been re-designed and equipped with all the necessary amenities.
The most important aspect of the event space is that it brings the basketball field to the forefront. While the whole space is either painted black or made up of black furniture, the removable hardwood court and movable basketball hoops become the focal point of the space.
Folding telescopic tribune seating was added along with 88 VIP courtside seats. With this basketball configuration, Volkswagen Arena has the capacity to house 5000 guests.
LED scoreboards were placed at the corners of the main hall and removable high resolution LED HD screens were hung from the ceiling. Special locker rooms were created for the teams.
MULTI FUNCTIONAL ARENA
PROJECT FACTS
LAND
Location Uniq Istanbul (Ayazağa), Istanbul, Turkey
Land Owner TURKMALL Inc. Co.
CLIENT
Pozitif Entertainment Inc.
PROJECT DATE
2011-2014
PROJECT DATA
Capacity 5.800 standing people, 4.500 sitting people
Total Construction Area 12.000 m²
PROJECT TEAMS
Interior Design Project Yazgan Design Architecture
3D Image Credits Yazgan Design Architecture
Structural Project Pro-Net Engineering
Mechanical Project GN Engineering
Electrical Project HB Technic
CONSULTANTS
Acoustical Design Consultant Peutz / PB Music Ltd.
Fire Consultant Karina
Saloon Design Consultant Blackbox Operations BV
Steel Design Counsultant Erduman Engineering
CONSTRUCTION
Construction Date 2014
Contractor TBM Construction
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
Yunus Özkazanç 2014
VIDEO CREDITS
Volkswagen Arena
PROJECT AWARDS
2016, European Property Awards, Leisure Interior – Best in Europe (5 Star)
2016, European Property Awards, Leisure Interior – Best in Turkey (5 Star)
2015, INSIDE World Festival of Interiors Awards - Finalist
2014, Arkitera Architecture Yearbook Project
EVENTS
2016, Imany Concert
2016, İbrahim Maalouf Concert
2016, Vodafone Freezone Festival
2015, Mohsen Namjoo Concert
2015, Pink Martini Concert
2015, TedX İstanbul
2015, Goran Bregovic Concert
2015, Mogwai Concert
2014, Morrissey Concert
2014, Babylon Presents; Jack White, Parov Stealer- Oi Va Voi, Hindi Zahra,
2014, Chet Faker Concert
2014, League of Legends Championship
2014, Pixies Concert
2014, Bob Dylan Concert
2014, Travis Concert
PRESS
Magazine
Anbarapor, June 2014
Best Magazine, June 2014
İnşaat & Yatırım, Haziran 2014
Mall Report, July 2014
Anbarapor, Eylül 2014
Gayrimenkul Turkey, Eylül-Ekim 2014
İntes, September-October 2014
Timkoder, October-December 2014
XXI, December 2014/January 2015
RAF Magazine, March 2015
Marka Projeler Magazine, April 2015
Web site
Newspaper
Hürriyet, 24 June 2014