Regenerative design

Bentley University

ARC helped fulfill Bentley University’s aspirations for a transformative event space — one that would elevate its NCAA Division I hockey program, support a multi-functional student hub, and preserve adjacent wetlands through thoughtful ecological solutions that align with the school’s vision for sustainability and wellness. A deeply collaborative process resulted in the first LEED Platinum Ice Arena in the United States, with a 40,000 sf, 550 kw solar array providing over 40% of the building’s energy needs.
Presentation Mode
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Exterior Multipurpose Arena

Preserving a healthy environment

A number of creative elements help protect the arena’s surrounding wetland and its diverse ecosystem. Bio- swales improve water quality, and provide unique habitats adjacent to the wetland, while the roof—and 4,000 square feet of permeable paving—recharges the groundwater through a large infiltration area under the plaza, helping to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution.

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solar panels
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Sustainability graphic

[ARC] was committed to Bentley’s ambitious environmental goals for the arena, pursu[ing] an integrated approach to design and sustainability. We are thrilled with the result.

Amanda King, MEM, LEED AP, Executive Director of Sustainability at Bentley University

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Aluminum at Multipurpose Arena

Stability, function, beauty

Inspired by movement and speed on the ice, ARC used parametric modeling and 3D printing to develop a modulated wall surface. Mica silica and stone aggregates give the façade variety and subtle color, while aluminum panels help create a simple, unified whole. The surface is a canvas for light and shadow that changes depending on the season, weather, and time of day.

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Ice rink

It is a building designed to be rigorously simple and elegant.

Victor Agran, ARC

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Multipurpose Arena

Glazing is used strategically throughout the building to provide daylight and views from over 90 percent of interior spaces.

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Exterior Details
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Exterior Details
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Creating Connections

Creating connections

Public spaces are essential to the new facility—highlighting student activity, augmenting a sense of community, and connecting the space to expansive views of the landscape. A large, north-facing clerestory suffuses the arena interior with natural daylight, and to the south, a plaza offers informal gathering area, space to watch baseball games, and a quiet spot to read in the sun.

 

Good design requires collaboration and commitment. ARC’s dedication, expertise and creativity were fundamental to making this project a reality.

Andrew Shepardson, Bentley Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs

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Window Details

The Arena provides adaptable, student-centered community spaces, hosts conferences, career fairs, convocations, music and comedy performances.

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Window panel details at Multipurpose Arena

Much of the success of the building rests on the collaborative process and careful attention to every moment and every detail.

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Student run AV system

The building is also a practical teaching lab. Students run the facility’s audio-visual system, and courses on sustainability measure operations and energy consumption.

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DIAGRAM1.jpg
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DIAGRAM2.jpg
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Diagram 1
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 jjnhig

Photography: Jeff Goldberg Photography; Warren Patterson Photography

Project
Multipurpose Arena at Bentley University
Location
Waltham, MA
Size
75,200 SF
Awards
2021 AIA Boston Society of Architects Higher Education Facilities Design Award
2019 Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts, Build New England (AGC-MA) - Performance Award
2018 Regional Best Projects, Award of Merit Sports/Entertainment, Engineering News Record, New England
LEED Platinum Certified

Regenerative design

Bentley University

Project
Multipurpose Arena at Bentley University
Location
Waltham, MA
Size
75,200 SF
Awards
2021 AIA Boston Society of Architects Higher Education Facilities Design Award
2019 Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts, Build New England (AGC-MA) - Performance Award
2018 Regional Best Projects, Award of Merit Sports/Entertainment, Engineering News Record, New England
LEED Platinum Certified
ARC helped fulfill Bentley University’s aspirations for a transformative event space — one that would elevate its NCAA Division I hockey program, support a multi-functional student hub, and preserve adjacent wetlands through thoughtful ecological solutions that align with the school’s vision for sustainability and wellness. A deeply collaborative process resulted in the first LEED Platinum Ice Arena in the United States, with a 40,000 sf, 550 kw solar array providing over 40% of the building’s energy needs.
Presentation Mode
Image
Exterior Multipurpose Arena

Preserving a healthy environment

A number of creative elements help protect the arena’s surrounding wetland and its diverse ecosystem. Bio- swales improve water quality, and provide unique habitats adjacent to the wetland, while the roof—and 4,000 square feet of permeable paving—recharges the groundwater through a large infiltration area under the plaza, helping to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution.

Image
solar panels
Image
Sustainability graphic

[ARC] was committed to Bentley’s ambitious environmental goals for the arena, pursu[ing] an integrated approach to design and sustainability. We are thrilled with the result.

Amanda King, MEM, LEED AP, Executive Director of Sustainability at Bentley University

Image
Aluminum at Multipurpose Arena

Stability, function, beauty

Inspired by movement and speed on the ice, ARC used parametric modeling and 3D printing to develop a modulated wall surface. Mica silica and stone aggregates give the façade variety and subtle color, while aluminum panels help create a simple, unified whole. The surface is a canvas for light and shadow that changes depending on the season, weather, and time of day.

Image
Ice rink

It is a building designed to be rigorously simple and elegant.

Victor Agran, ARC

Image
Multipurpose Arena

Glazing is used strategically throughout the building to provide daylight and views from over 90 percent of interior spaces.

Image
Exterior Details
Image
Exterior Details
Image
Creating Connections

Creating connections

Public spaces are essential to the new facility—highlighting student activity, augmenting a sense of community, and connecting the space to expansive views of the landscape. A large, north-facing clerestory suffuses the arena interior with natural daylight, and to the south, a plaza offers informal gathering area, space to watch baseball games, and a quiet spot to read in the sun.

 

Good design requires collaboration and commitment. ARC’s dedication, expertise and creativity were fundamental to making this project a reality.

Andrew Shepardson, Bentley Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs

Image
Window Details

The Arena provides adaptable, student-centered community spaces, hosts conferences, career fairs, convocations, music and comedy performances.

Image
Window panel details at Multipurpose Arena

Much of the success of the building rests on the collaborative process and careful attention to every moment and every detail.

Image
Student run AV system

The building is also a practical teaching lab. Students run the facility’s audio-visual system, and courses on sustainability measure operations and energy consumption.

Image
DIAGRAM1.jpg
Image
DIAGRAM2.jpg
Image
Diagram 1
Image
 jjnhig

Photography: Jeff Goldberg Photography; Warren Patterson Photography

Regenerative design / Bentley University
Multipurpose Arena
Exterior Details
Exterior Multipurpose Arena
Exterior Details
solar panels
Creating Connections
Sustainability graphic
Window Details
Window panel details at Multipurpose Arena
Aluminum at Multipurpose Arena
Student run AV system
Ice rink