3XN has been commissioned to design a new arena and masterplan for central Bergen, Norway. Responding to the city?s ambition to revitalize the core of its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scheme will act as an anchor for the development of an entirely new neighborhood connecting the inner city with the waterfront.

© 3XN

3XN has been commissioned to design a new arena and masterplan for central Bergen, Norway. Responding to the city?s ambition to revitalize the core of its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scheme will act as an anchor for the development of an entirely new neighborhood connecting the inner city with the waterfront.The scheme is intended as an ?urban arena? serving as a destination for concerts, sports, and cultural events in an underutilized central part of the city. The design of the arena will also incorporate a vibrant public district ?offering places to live, play, rest, and work.?
© 3XN

The existing site is characterized by heavy traffic and urban spaces with poor connectivity to the surrounding city. The 3XN strategy seeks to introduce the arena as an ?urban driver,? acting as a catalyst for a new neighborhood to feature housing, a police school, a hotel, and a cinema.

© 3XN

In developing this new arena, we considered the characteristics of Bergen as it is now and envisioned how it can be in the future. In our design we have tried to solve the urban and infrastructural challenges by creating an arena in human ...