The Amway Center, a modern glass and steel sports venue, re-opened in the fall of 2010 to national acclaim. In 2006 the stadium underwent a nearly 500 million dollar renovation that was aligned with Orlando’s billion-dollar downtown revitalization. The original building lacked the technological panache of the modern arena.
Amway Center | Orlando Magic
Application
Architect
Populous
Photographer
Lawrence Anderson
Capture the Drama and Still Maintain Privacy When Desired
One of the interior highlights of the updated Amway Center was its use of the ultra-modern retractable window wall systems. Baker Barrios Architects (BBA) selected NanaWall folding systems for the luxury suites and banquet center. They were faced with a key design challenge: how to capture the drama with a proximity to the action, and still maintain privacy when desired.
BBA’s solution was to install the SL45 aluminum and SL25 all-glass systems in the 875,000-square-foot facility. The all-glass panel systems in the 327 suite boxes, 1,428 club seats, and 66 luxury suites are easy to operate and magically turn the seating areas into private rooms or open viewing areas.
The Orlando Magic’s Amway Center was recognized as one of Orlando’s best new works of architecture at the 2011 Awards for Design Excellence Gala. “From the very beginning, we knew the new Amway Center would be an iconic cornerstone of our city and community,” said Tim Baker principal at BBA about this honor. “This acknowledgment confirms that expectation, and we are very grateful for such significant recognition.”
“Throughout the country, stadium and arena owners are looking for ways to attract fans and increase revenue year-round.”
“Throughout the country, stadium and arena owners are looking for ways to attract fans and increase revenue year-round,” said George Wiedenhofer of NanaWall Systems. “In particular, we are seeing growth in smaller regional and local sports teams. Fans like to be comfortable. Sports venue owners see that creating a great atmosphere and luxury seating options pay off.
Uninterrupted Viewing With Frameless SL25
The large glass opening walls in the entertainment facilities at Amway Center illustrate this. They create a dynamic entertaining space for concerts, corporate functions and special events. Because of the excellent acoustic performance of the NanaWalls, guests can seclude themselves when the walls are closed. Each panel opens or closes individually, and slide and stack inconspicuously to the sides. The walls are also engineered to withstand high impacts, obviously important in a bustling arena.
The luxury suites used the folding system SL25, which when open or closed allows for a single, large and uninterrupted viewing of the arena and basketball courts below. The frameless system has no fenestration and complements the modern finishes throughout the building.
Amway Center Was Designed to Meet the Goals of the Users
The club seating, luxury suites and banquet areas are right on top of the action: only 19 rows or 27 rows from the floor. “With great teamwork and vision, the Amway Center was designed to reflect the character of the community, meet the goals of the users and build on the legacy of sports and entertainment in Orlando,” said Alex Martins, President, Orlando Magic. “We are proud of our community’s new home and the imagination used to open North America’s finest facility.”
Since opening in 2010, the new Amway Center became both the gem of the NBA and a breath of fresh air for a stagnant area of Orlando. The arena has revitalized the neighborhood as more than 20 new businesses opened within sixth months of the reopening.
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Salt Rivers Field | Arizona Diamondbacks & Colorado Rockies
With 88 panels installed at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, NanaWalls’ systems are a prominent design feature found both in the training facilities for the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies as well as the luxury and press suites.
Bronco Stadium | Boise State
Stueckle Sky Center and Bronco Stadium hold one of the longest single installations of a NanaWall system totaling 324 feet of unobstructed views whether the system is opened or closed.
“Throughout the country, stadium and arena owners are looking for ways to attract fans and increase revenue year-round.”
— Tim Baker, Architect
