Broward County Civic Arena

Location Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA | Client Arena Development Company | Award Broward County Public Art Percent for Art Award, 1998 | Status Completed 1998 | Tags Public Realm and Infrastructure, Culture and Art

On a site formerly part of the Florida Everglades rises the National Car Rental Center, home of the Florida Panthers Ice Hockey Team. The Broward County Public Art and Design Program commissioned this site–integrated art work for the Center’s entry plaza. The concept developed for the site includes the design of large scale sculptural canopies made of steel framing and high–tech fabric. These sixteen canopies recall the displaced Everglade trees, and, taking their cues for form and color from Royal Palms, the two rows of stylistic ‘mechanical palms’ lead the way to the Center’s entry. Lit from within, the canopies glow at night and light the path of pedestrians on their way to Center events. A striped paving pattern, echoing the building’s geometry, reinforces the arrangement of the canopies in the plaza.