Utilita Arena Sheffield
Our work in lights
Utilita Arena Sheffield commissioned us to update their concourse area and refreshment stands. They wanted us to make the space feel more welcoming and easier to navigate.
The concourse was cluttered and dated, so we went back to basics. We stripped it back so that we could bring cohesion to the design and focus on the industrial feel of the building’s architecture.
Before we could start on any design work, we managed a team of joiners, decorators, electricians and plumbers. We removed old light boxes, fixed leaking pipes, repaired woodwork, built metres of shelving and, finally, decorated for days on end. And then, with a cleaner canvas to work with, we started again!
Creative approach
Our focus was to make it easy for audiences to navigate around the Arena. We divided the concourse into colour-coded areas, using colours already in use in the building. We introduced large-scale directional signage above head height to clearly show people where they are and how to get to where they want to be.
We gave the refreshment stands new names to reflect the fun to be had in the Arena: Dance, Chuckle, Laugh, Cheer. Signs were made from neon to draw attention and reflect light onto the concrete interior. We used a palette of industrial materials, powder-coated in brand colours, to reinforce the colour-coding of the concourse.
We carried the colour scheme through to graphic panels featuring brand messages about stars that have appeared on the Arena stage, to emphasise the variety of acts, and all of the fun, on offer here.
