Inspired to transform the traditional hockey barn, the project embraces strategies often considered non-traditional for ice rinks. This includes an intensive sustainability strategy and a local materials palette including regionally sourced timber, recycled steel, concrete and glass. Breaking traditional forms, the undulating roof nods to the 1950's barrel-vault roof of the original mall, and indirectly to fluid athletic motion on ice. Glulam beams are proposed for the long-span roof, embracing local craftsmanship and allowing transparency for what often is a blank box. Community-oriented programming will be located in the southernmost ice rink which shares a wall with a new outdoor public park - the heart of the redevelopment. Retractable glass panels in the shared wall will maximize programming flexibility for activities like weekend farmer's markets and other non-ice activities that can utilize both indoor and outdoor space.

The project is designed to be one of the first net zero ice facilities in the U.S. By utilizing layered strategies like a high-performance envelope, green roofs, solar, graywater, co-generation ice systems, waste heat recovery, recycled content materials and wood, the facility has a limited carbon footprint and scheduled to be near or at net zero. This project challenges the assumption that heavy power use buildings cannot lead the thinking on sustainability.