arenadesign_notfinal.jpg
A team from 360 Architecture presented exterior designs for a proposed sports arena in SoDo to the Downtown Design Review Board for a third time Tuesday at Seattle City Hall. (Image courtesy 360 Architecture)

Lead designer mum on inside of proposed Sonics' arena

BY Brandi Kruse  on January 22, 2013 @ 10:13 pm (Updated: 9:28 am - 1/23/13 )

While exterior designs for a proposed sports arena in SoDo have been made public, the lead designer is being hush-hush about what is in store for fans once they pass through the gates.

"I can't really say too much right now, I'm sorry," Mathew Hallett told KIRO Radio. "I just know that what we have in store for this arena is something that you haven't seen in any arena in the country."

Meanwhile, Hallett and his team from 360 Architecture presented exterior designs to the Downtown Design Review Board for a third time Tuesday at Seattle City Hall. The $490 million facility will house the Seattle Supersonics should a group led by investor Chris Hansen be able to secure the Sacramento Kings.

"We're in the very early stages of (the design) right now and this is a process of evolution," Hallett said.

He said the team is not bothered by recent criticism of the arena's overall shape, including a Seattle Times article that likened it to a vegetable steamer. Hallett said the actual inspiration for the design was a photo of a jet engine.

"It maintains the form but air can still flow in and out," he said. "Not to mention it's a great meaning for the city of Seattle and how Boeing has kind of built the city of Seattle from its inception."

The design also includes two large plaza areas that can be utilized during off-seasons for art fairs, food festivals and even an ice skating rink during the winter months.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (16)


  • Add A Comment

  • Newton wrote...
    Ahhh Yes what a Design it is.
    January 23, 2013 5:22 am
    Monkeys But Design. What is more fitting for the seattle city Council. Well if it looks like a Monkeys Bottom from the outside, Hmmmmm? what is it going to look like on the inside. I can't wait.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • R L M 456 wrote...
    I can't wait to see the Crap
    January 23, 2013 8:10 am
    they will use as the 3% for art

    required by Seattle

    Oh and the inside-- Duh, Seats and cash registers

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • uralnutjobs wrote...
    private buildings
    January 23, 2013 10:14 am
    dont need to spend anything on art, especiallly ones that look like dr zoidberg. sure hope they have room for an ice rink if they plan on getting a nhl team
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    Looks like...
    January 23, 2013 8:16 am
    ..a rusty ski jump.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Forrest wrote...
    The picture above looks like
    January 23, 2013 9:07 am
    an upside down beached barge.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Looks like
    January 23, 2013 9:34 am
    the North part of the roof structure has failed!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WShadow206 wrote...
    NOT BAD....
    January 23, 2013 9:54 am
    I think its a good idea to explore the jet engine idea but that color is way off Id like to see it Emerald Green or a mix of green n gold but more llike yellow n some gold mixed, and i wanna see the propellers inside the arena n have big screen held up by the propellers hangin down. I like concept but i could def have better input than the people creating it who prolly dont even live here....Let the People Help AKA ME
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Dream Arena -
    January 23, 2013 10:33 am
    it worked for the 787. Were you aware the King Dome will be paid off in 2016. When will we get our tax dollars back from the CH loan?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sfk360 wrote...
    CH
    January 23, 2013 2:34 pm
    Do you realize how idiotic you sound using the name "CH" to talk about Hansen when your name on here is "CH"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mstock57 wrote...
    CH
    January 23, 2013 9:30 pm
    He can't use his middle initial or it would be CIH.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    From years ago they used to say...U...G....L...Y...
    January 23, 2013 10:48 am
    It ain't got no alibi, it's ugly.....but just like film critics, architects are in that bizzaro world know also as visionaries.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • LyfeStiles wrote...
    I like it!
    January 23, 2013 11:21 am
    I was really against the initial renderings, but the "swirl" enhancements of the "icon" portion have grown on me. Looks pretty cool especially when its lite up at night.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    sfk360 maybe -
    January 23, 2013 3:39 pm
    Im CH. Will the real CH please stand up, please stand up.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Beetle1977 wrote...
    It certainly looks
    January 23, 2013 6:30 pm
    a lot better than the run down piece of crap warehouse buildings that currently reside on the property.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }