Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Competitions and Bristol City Council have announced the launch of an international competition to design a new arena for Bristol.

The design will be for a large indoor multipurpose arena with which is to be located on the former diesel depot site close to Temple Meads railway station in central Bristol. It is anticipated that the Arena will open in the summer of 2017.

Multi-disciplinary teams will have the opportunity to design the 12,000 capacity entertainment arena. The successful experienced design team will have architectural, structural and building engineering capabilities as well as experience within the performance venue field and significant knowledge of the creation and development of urban spaces.

Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, commented: “The Bristol Arena is key to the city region’s future and will act as a major catalyst to the development of the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. We have to grasp the opportunity to design a building that not only works really effectively but is an inspiring place that enriches this new quarter of the city.

“I want the Bristol Arena to become the arena of choice for performers, as well as offering an excellent visitor experience. As an architect I recognise that the design of the building is critical in achieving this. RIBA Competitions has helped to deliver some of the most outstanding buildings around the UK and is well placed to help us to secure the best possible design team.”

Colin Skellett, Chair of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “The new arena is a demonstration of confidence and an essential asset for a major city region. It will play a key role in attracting future investment and accelerating development within the Temple Quarter enterprise zone. Getting the design right is really important: we need an arena that fits with its environment, inspires its visitors and becomes an iconic image for the city region.”

Among the iconic buildings which resulted from previous RIBA Competitions are the Welsh National Assembly’s Senedd in Cardiff, The Hepworth Wakefield gallery in Wakefield and Sage Gateshead, the music venue on Gateshead’s quayside.

Expressions of Interest are invited from suitably qualified design teams worldwide. A shortlist of five teams will then be selected to participate in the design phase of the competition. The arena project budget is approximately £90 million.

For further details and to enter visit www.architecture.com/competitions. The closing date for receiving completed applications is Thursday 18th September 2014.

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