Ed Robson Arena focuses on big picture campus connectivity, recruitment, and sustainability goals. It was designed to be an iconic event space and sports centerpiece that would energize campus, improve the spectator/student-athlete experience, accommodate the surrounding community and region, and uplift the CC Tiger Hockey program. Within a national design competition, our concept was chosen with the intent of demonstrating engaging, expressive arena design. With the opportunity to reinforce CC’s sustainability commitment, our team followed the FDE-10 Framework for Design Excellence, integrating sustainable building practices and materials, including high-performance mechanical and ice systems, and future planning for roof-mounted photovoltaic panels.
Natural design elements, scale, and window placements were heavily influenced by the surrounding campus; a diverse landscape of arid desert, river canyons, and snow-covered mountains. Inside, spectators overlook campus and Pikes Peak, connecting to the outdoors in the main seating bowl through a ribbon of strategically placed windows. Forging a strong connection to campus and community, appropriate massing, articulation, and place sitting was sought to create a comfortable, familiar place that emulates the front range and engages its surroundings.
South of the arena’s prominent glass entry lobby, a new student services center provides a campus-inspired streetscape flowing in and out along Tejon Street’s edge, offering an outdoor plaza, art studio, restaurant and retail spaces, students services, and a tucked away, attached four-level parking ramp. Through collaborative discussions, design iterations, and concept studies, the Arena has become a good neighbor, fostering a sense of place that allows CC to compete at a national level, but also serve the broader College and Colorado Springs community.