Every country in the globe has development goals that must be met over time, most of which are extremely long-term. Tulsa County, Oklahoma, has set growth targets known as Vision 2025. The majority of the aims are focused on the county’s growth in terms of infrastructure, building and construction, as well as social and economic benefits for the site and its population. The BOK Centre was created and planned as the showpiece facility for Vision 2025 to demonstrate the county’s commitment to millennial development goals.
Designed by Architect César Pelli, this multi-purpose arena and primary indoor sports and events venue is a crowd-puller and in itself, an architectural signature in a vibrant city.
The architects created a multi-purpose stadium that could accommodate a variety of events, including football, hockey, basketball, and musical performances, among others. The BOK Centre, which can accommodate up to 19,199 people, was constructed in 2008 at a cost of $196 million, with the City of Tulsa providing the majority of the money. Architect César Pelli indicates that this design was inspired by the culture of the people of Oklahoma with details like the Native American deco-style taking center stage. However, the building’s cultural values did not hinder the designer from providing a contemporary structure.
The arena, located in downtown Tulsa, attracts a huge number of visitors from Tulsa and the surrounding area. The futuristic design features a whirling spiral of stainless steel and glass walls that lean inward at strategic locations throughout the arena.
The sweeping circular elements are so constant in the exterior and interior of the project. The glass façades consists of 160 kg panels which wrap around the building while leaning at a five-degree angle. The 1,600 glass panels all total up to make the 180 metre long iconic curving glass wall which reaches a height of more than 30 metres above grade. 33,000 stainless steel panels complete the spiralling form of the building’s circumference.
This construction was inspired by the architectural language of its natural and constructed surrounds. The architects used curves into their design to reflect the bend of the Arkansas River and the arc of Tulsa’s curvilinear roadways. One of the most prized features of Tulsa’s Native American past is its round tribe homes, which were historically employed throughout Midwestern states in the United States; César Pelli credits this tradition with inspiring the curvilinear form of the whole center.
Views from every part of the building and some of the arena seats through the glass wall provide a strong connection between the city, the arena and its occupants. Despite having the expansive glass wall, glare was dealt with by fitting half of the glass wall with a ceramic frit pattern at various sports where glare would pose negative impacts to people.
The glass wall allows for plenty of natural light within the building during the day, while the famous wall, which was outfitted with a system of 66 integrated metal halide lights, can shine in 1,000 various hues at night.
Tulsa County is located in a tornado-prone area, thus a structure of this magnitude would never overlook the natural hazard. The building’s several layers of laminated glass and strengthened wall support system allow it to resist winds of over 160 km per hour.
The interiors borrow a lot from the motion created by the circular elements on the exterior and goes further to build upon that theme with staircases that wrap around a section of the building from the main lobby.
Aside from accommodating multiple arenas, the BOK Centre has 37 public restrooms which include 12 for men, 16 for women and 9 for families all culminating to a total of 300 toilets and urinals. Dressing rooms with wooden lockers, hydrotherapy and workout rooms, a players’ lounge, locker rooms for game officials, and office space for coaches, trainers, and equipment managers are also located within the building. 14 concession outlets around the building act as small restaurants where people can buy food and beverages.
The Bank of Oklahoma (BOK) purchased the naming rights for the facility that presently houses the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers. It is a venue that will hold many NBA preseason games as well as tens of collegiate basketball games. Even as Tulsa County continues to pursue Vision 2025 development goals, it is difficult not to recognize the BOK Centre’s accomplishments. The modern facility has sparked a lot of interest; it will become simpler to attract both national and regional athletic competitions to this excellent work by César Pelli.
Project Information
Architects: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
Client: City of Tulsa
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
Size: 55,000 sqm
Completed: 2008
Photography: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, Daniel Jeffries, Aloma Anderson, Bobby Acree, Brett Morrison
