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Derby Arena
Derby Arena unites cycling, community and culture in a vibrant multi-use events venue and velodrome.
Summary
Landmark multi-purpose velodrome and arena
Location
Derby, UK
Client
Derby City Council
Size
15,000m²
Completion
2015
Derby arena team gb cyclist on ramp 10x11
Vision
Following Team GB’s success at the 2012 games, a new velodrome was proposed in Derby as an Olympic Legacy project to inspire participation in track cycling and other sports. The challenge for Derby City Council was how to create a flexible, accessible and commercially viable facility for a building type that often struggles with low occupancy. In response, FaulknerBrowns’ designed a 5000-seat events space that doubles as a 12-court sports hall. The result is an efficient, multi-purpose arena—no larger than a typical velodrome, but bigger than cycling.
“The world-class velodrome, together with the flexible design of the infield areas, means that its primary objective of encouraging people into physical activity with a particular focus on cycling, has been exceeded.”
RICS East Midlands
Project of the Year 2016
Derby arena cyclists around badminton on infield p
Derby arena velodrome track under construction g
Rethinking the track

Making use of the centre of a velodrome presents a problem: how to access this space without disrupting the track. Building tunnels or ramps would lead to complicated access arrangements. Creating a section of track that is removable was a potential solution, but for racing cyclists the slightest joint in the surface would be felt.

We overcame this challenge by raising the track by a full storey and leaving the velodrome ‘infield’ at ground level. This means that when visitors arrive for events, they can walk straight through the foyer to the multi-purpose event space at the same level, with the track elevated overhead. The ‘infield’ space can hold 3,500 floor seats (the track itself can hold a further 1,500), or can be used as a sports hall for badminton, netball, volleyball and more. 

Derby arena section drawing l
“When visiting the arena for events, activities and meetings, I often stand back and reflect on the sheer diversity of activities taking place, for people of all abilities and ages.”
Hayley Lever
Former Director of Derbyshire Sport
Derby arena raised velodrome track 3x2
Derby arena group of cyclists on velodrome track 16x9
Derby arena briefing in cyclists d 3x2
Derby arena flexibility concert mode 3x2
Derby arena team gb cyclist laura trott waving to crowd 3x2
Derby arena flexibility graduation ceremony in infield 3x2
A civic asset
Derby Arena was always intended to be used by both professional and amateur cyclists, but our design has opened the building up to a broader community. The velodrome hosts pantomime productions, graduation ceremonies, national cycling and badminton events, music and comedy performances, and school visits, as well as athlete training programmes, making it a dynamic venue for locals, visitors and elite athletes alike.

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