The architecture of the Ice Hockey and Volleyball Arena allows the functional elements of its interior to penetrate the exterior. The curved shells housing the seating tiers are stacked on top of one another in horizontal decks. Through the large-scale, transparent glass panels, the exterior envelope allows the visually powerful, sculptural structures of the two basin-shaped arenas to dominate.

The design essentially erases the boundary between interior and exterior, rendering the transitions between them fluid: the seating tiers are clearly visible from the outside. The broad stairs outside the entrance continue in the interior and enhance the visitor experience. As a welcoming gesture, the large cantilevered roof emphasizes the building’s role as public space. The open area of the plaza is embedded in the complex – and provides an elevated surface connecting the two streets leading into the complex. From the outside, the architectural design suggests that the volleyball and ice hockey arenas are of comparable size, although each activity requires a different footprint. The selection of specific building and surface materials underscores the autonomy and identity of each arena.