Not only was the time it took to construct the arena remarkably short, the unique high-tech look of the arena won it the prestigious Building of the Year prize. The most striking element of the arena’s design is its silvery aluminum wall cladding that evokes the feel of an ice palace. The spherical canopy that forms the roof received awards from the Czech Chamber of Engineers, the Engineering Academy of the Czech Republic, and the European Steel Design Award.
The six-story arena is designed for people to spend time there even outside of the main events. It features shops, restaurants, and areas for press conferences, seminars, and congresses. Besides the usual seating in the arena, there are private floors with a large number of skyboxes and club seating, which firms wishing to promote team spirit can rent and attend attractive sporting and cultural programs.
The TechniStone® design Gobi Black was used in the arena on various surfaces, from food service counters and bars to luxurious club seating in the VIP zones.
This dark stone design of Gobi Black with its sparkling flecks contrasts with the arena’s light-colored walls, stainless steel elements, and glass panels. The effect is striking, especially when combined with black cladding, steel construction, and raw concrete — together creating a high-tech style that is still fresh, even after twenty years.
Thanks to its polished surface the engineered stone seems rich but not oppressive. Reflected light gives the edges a dramatic look and precision stone fabrication makes for a very impressive overall result.
O2 Arena remains one of the most modern sports venues in Europe and is not only the site of many sporting events, but also cultural programs, concerts, and trade shows.
