Arena Caerdydd / Cardiff Arena - quality project delivery and digital workf

An overview of the progress of design and construction of the new 15,000 seater concert, exhibition and family entertainment venue in Cardiff Bay, part of a wider regeneration and refresh of the Bay area. Topics will include the initial design constraints that drove the early decisions in planning and concept design since Arup's first formal involvement in 2019; the ongoing issues around site obstructions and proximity to neighbouring residential areas that have driven the scheme and detailed design; and the operational considerations that go into allowing the functioning of a world-class performance venue.

We will go on to look at the design approaches and digital workflows adopted by the Arup team in Cardiff, building on experience of our North West offices on other large arenas and sports stadia. This will include discussions of the automated workflow and its limitations, ways that it was adapted during the design as the structural team expanded, and ways that we might approach things differently in future.

Finally we'll look at construction sequences, projected timelines for building completion, and at current progress on site.

Speaker Name: Robert Powell

Job Title: Senior Structural Engineer

Company: Arup

Robert Powell is a Senior Structural Engineer at Arup with extensive experience of delivering prestigious building projects, including the Central St Giles complex with Renzo Piano and One Hyde Park with Richard Rogers; redevelopments of city centres in Bracknell, Guildford, and Central Square in Cardiff; and hospital facilities at the Manchester Proton Therapy centre, Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Caerphilly, and Whiston Hospital in Merseyside. Currently he is leading on steelwork for the new Cardiff Arena, building on experience at the NEC in Birmingham, and the Wales Millennium Centre. His particular specialism is in automation of design processes, complex analyses, and visualisation techniques.

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Host or Publisher IStructE Wales Group