Execution Ways

Business Insider has described San Francisco’s Chase Arena as setting “a new standard for a sports arena in the US”, and “the state-of-the-art arena includes the largest scoreboard in the NBA, an outdoor plaza, retail spaces, and luxurious suites that cost upward of $1.5 million.” Even the geometry of the exterior envelope is complex, requiring collaborative optioneering by the architects and design engineers over several years of coordination to establish an optimal geometry well suited for an accelerated construction timeline. Unlike most conventional facades, the design of the envelope of this arena utilizes few simple geometric rules. Instead, it is derived from intersections of compound curve ribbons of metal and glass intersected by non-orthogonal cutting planes forming the basis of the design intent, producing unique facade panels intentionally. This paper is a narrative of the design lifecycle about how communication and collaboration are the keys by setting reasonable expectations than reliance on technology when it comes to executing a project that has an aggressive construction schedule.

After competitive bidding, having delegated the task to the facade contractor for delivering a facade of this complexity with no flexibility in schedule meant that the design and engineering team at Enclos Corporation was tasked with looking beyond current construction practices to complete the arena envelope. In an extensive collaboration, Enclos introduced simplified construction means and methods into the project by engaging with the right stakeholders in a design-assist dialogue to understand the most important aspects of the original design intent to achieve the common goal with a positive spirit. Enclos' optimization of the panel geometries and subdivisions relied upon constant input from a vast collection of specialists with understanding the geometry, engineering, material procurement, site mobility, erection, and installation. Cladding for the Chase Arena also had to be coordinated with the cladding of adjoining Chase Towers also by Enclos. It involved experts from eight different departments within Enclos to execute this project before the opening in September of 2019 which is the new home for Golden State Warriors team of the National Basketball Association.