fathom Blog

Pen’s Arena Tour

Posted by julina in Architecture. 6/2/2010, 3:36 PM

Last week the fathom team donned our hard hats and closed-toe shoes for an exclusive tour of the CONSOL Energy Center. How did we get the inside scoop on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ new digs?

Back in January of 2008, we did a fathom study for the Pens, which included key findings on the importance of arena users connecting with the broader Pittsburgh community, the purity of the play across hockey’s long history, and the energy of the game-night experience. The architectural team took our study to heart, as evidenced by a number of cool features integrated into the design.

Without giving away the whole kit and caboodle, we will say that the new arena is pretty slick and sophisticated. Symbols of ice abound in the wall finishings, countertops, and light fixtures. Giant floor-to-ceiling windows seamlessly connect interior atria with the outdoor community. And there isn’t a bad seat in the house, especially with the massive HD screens strung high above the rink.

It’s always great to see our research and insights in action in the real world, but it will be even more exciting to see how they hold up under crowds of thousands with the arena doors open this fall!