Charlotte Fernández
UKIMEA Press Office,Leeds
Scotland's largest entertainment venue, the £125m SSE Hydro, has opened today.
Built on the site of the former Queen’s Dock in Glasgow, The SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy) Hydro will host major music, entertainment and sporting events, with a fixed seating capacity of 12,000.
One of the building’s most unique features is its ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluroethylene) façade, made up of translucent cushions, originally developed for the space industry. This material will allow natural light to illuminate the foyers during the day and the arena to ‘glow’ at night. The unique façade of the SSE Hydro, which is lit by thousands of LED lights, won the 2014 Scottish Design Award for Lighting.
Arup was appointed by the SECC (Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre) to provide a range of services including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, public health and fire engineering; as well as specialist lighting services.
“The construction of The SSE Hydro’s distinctive roof and ETFE façade, lit by thousands of LED lights, are two of the key features of the building. They are prime examples of the innovative spirit and engineering expertise that the Arup team have consistently demonstrated over the many years they have been working on this project. We at the SECC are really proud that the building has achieved this milestone, are confident that The SSE Hydro will be a huge success and thank Arup for being at the centre of the building’s design and delivery.
Tom Doyle, Project Director for the SSE Hydro’s owners and operators, SECC
The SSE Hydro will join the Clyde Auditorium (commonly known as ‘The Armadillo’), a popular venue also designed by Foster + Partners and engineered by Arup, on the River Clyde.
The Hydro will also be one of the major venues for The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games along with the £108m National Indoor Sports Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, both designed by Arup.