Imagine the roar of the crowd. Picture the squeak of shoes on polished wood. This is Ankara Arena, a sporting and cultural hub.
Ankara Arena is more than just a building. It is a symbol of Ankara’s commitment to sports and entertainment. Let me tell you its story.
The arena opened in April 2010. It was built for the 2010 FIBA World Championship. The venue replaced the nearby Ankara Ataturk Sport Hall. It became the new home for Turkish Basketball League clubs.
The Ankara Arena cost 47.1 million TRY. That is about 20 million in today’s Euros. Yazgan Tasarim Mimarlik designed it. Turkerler Insaat was the main contractor.
Ankara Arena has a seating capacity of 10400. It hosted the FIVB Girls Youth World Championship in 2011. Matches for the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women were also held here.
But Ankara Arena isn’t just for sports. It’s a place for concerts too. Tarkan, Inna and Elton John have all performed here. Tarkan played in November 2010. Inna performed in May 2011. Elton John played in July 2011.
The arena sits on 46000 square meters of land. The building itself covers 53000 square meters. It is near the Main Stadium, Central Train Station and Cer Modern Art Museum. An urban plaza in front of the building serves as a meeting point. It is an event space for city residents.
The arena’s design is extraverted. It uses a transparent facade with clear glass. White horizontal and orange vertical sunshades adorn it. Terraces at different levels offer diverse views of the city.
The building has four stories. A 15-meter cantilevered roof helps reduce its volumetric effect. Service spaces surround the main hall. Entrances are defined by parallel walls. Green and light orange elements clad these walls. This creates a unique visual experience.
Ankara Arena hosted game 5 of the World Basketball Championship in 2010. It was designed to be inclusive. Disabled people, elderly people and families with children can easily use the building.
Ankara Arena was nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award in 2011. It won second prize at the Cityscape Awards for Architecture in Dubai in 2011.
Ankara Arena continues to host major events. It stands as a testament to modern architecture. It shows Ankara’s dedication to culture and sport. Its doors are always open. Its story continues to unfold.