Acrisure Arena

An arena designed for some of the most popular artists in the world requires detailed, bespoke interior spaces. Populous led the interior design of the arena, from concourses to artist areas, premium clubs and suites. Taking cues from regional elements such as woven-inspired materials and the California Palm, the interior design of Acrisure is intentional about its reflection of place.

Upon entry to Acrisure, visitors are greeted with a unique indoor/outdoor concourse designed to reflect the refined California style of the 1950s. A large premium club hosts exterior balconies with views of the San Jacinto mountains, while the two sponsor-branded end stage bars bookend the arena, allowing for a unique concertgoer experience.

These spaces, along with the two Founders’ Suites and 20 premium suites, employ a unified, intimate and locally inspired style that flows easily from one space to another. The design includes local influences and artwork, warm neutral color tones, stone such as marble and quartzite, and notable iconic Palm Springs photography.

Specialized premium areas include the Bunker Club — a Hollywood retro-inspired club on the arena floor with darker tones, a dramatic backlit palm leaf feature wall, and historical black-and-white photos — and the two sponsor-branded center ice bars, which reflect a classic Palm Springs pool party, complete with yellow baffled ceilings and black and white pool tile on the bars.

The sustainability of the arena begins with the structure. Populous designed Acrisure Arena to solve for a notable feat — hosting two ice sheets in one building in a desert climate — while using sustainable design techniques to lessen the environmental impacts of a cold building in a warm climate. The below-ground placement of the ice sheets leverages the cooler nature of the ground, limit solar exposure and increase energy efficiency.

The reflective roof of the arena reduces heat gain, while the landscape uses native and locally-adapted plant material to reduce required maintenance and irrigation and minimize stormwater runoff, which has the potential to provide benefits to local wildlife. Recycled water is used for some on-site irrigation and trenches capture and infiltrate the storm water runoff, recharging the groundwater supply. The rest of the site uses vegetated swales that are incorporated into the site landscape.

From a visitor-facing perspective, the arena promotes alternative transportation by providing bicycle racks and pathways and areas designated for rideshare. The arena uses all LED lighting and sports lighting, and the design eliminates glazing at the south and west façades to reduce heat gain and provide a more energy-efficient exterior.

Populous approached the design of Acrisure Arena by first becoming immersed in the local history, landscape and culture of Palm Springs. Populous conducted an audit of the Palm Desert area, studying local architecture and capturing colors, materials, language and local design to incorporate into Acrisure Arena.

The team wanted this space to be a leading sports and entertainment venue, while also fitting seamlessly and authentically into its community. As such, the windswept forms of the exterior reflect the natural vernacular of the desert landscape with palm tree islands as an oasis and respite from the harsh sun.

The arena’s seating bowl is buried in the earth, downsizing its overall height and allowing direct access to the main concourse through a seamless at-grade entry experience. Additionally, Acrisure Arena’s rigging system boasts the same capabilities of the nation’s major performance venues, allowing artists to fully test their touring setup and entertainment assets in their first show. Also a hockey arena, the conscious choice to forgo a center-hung scoreboard allows for artists to rig their stage show any way they choose with easy access to multiple catwalks, making the location ideal for rehearsals before a tour begins.

Populous’ Brand Activation team established and strengthened the storytelling of Acrisure Arena, highlighting the iconic history of Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, and the unique features of the arena. Two sponsor-branded end stage bars bookend the arena, and two sponsor-branded center ice bars reflect a classic Palm Springs pool party.

Populous designed the building navigation strategy, including the site and wayfinding signage throughout Acrisure Arena. Comprehensible and explicit wayfinding signage was designed using inspiration from the desert landscape.