CHYBIK + KRISTOF designed the new Multifunctional Urban Arena as an extension of the city of Jihlava, situated in direct dialogue with its historic core. The building serves both as the home stadium of the HC Dukla Jihlava ice hockey club and as a cultural and social venue for the wider public.

The arena replaced an outdated stadium from the 1950s. From the outset, the architects’ ambition was to embed the new arena sensitively within its complex urban context in the city centre, while also creating a high-quality public spaces. To achieve this, they integrated both the existing and newly designed structures into an urban campus and initiated the revitalisation of the adjacent Smetanovy sady park, where the sculpture SOUHRAPROHRAVÝHRA by artist Krištof Kintera was installed.

The arena’s programme is divided between two new buildings: the main arena and the corner building containing accommodation, a restaurant, a fan shop and a gym. At the uppermost level, the two structures are connected by a footbridge leading onto the arena roof, which features a publicly accessible running track. Between the buildings, a generous staircase forms an outdoor amphitheatre, mediating the site’s difference in elevation while providing a place for seating and informal gatherings, which serves as an outdoor venue during warm months. Rather than being conceived as an isolated landmark, the arena becomes a permeable part of the urban fabric.

Relationship with the surrounding neighberhoos is further strengthened by the 360 degree glazed ground floor, which opens the building in all directions and establishes visual connections with the university building, the adjacent streets, the local brewery and the park. The emphasis on openness and accessibility is also reflected in its barrier-free design. People with reduced mobility, as well as families with strollers, can move easily from any level into the hall and reach dedicated spectator areas that offer some of the best views in the entire venue.

The building’s multifunctional character, has already proven itself in hosting major local and international events - from a concert by singer Ewa Farna, Davis Cup matches and a preparatory game ahead of the Ice Hockey World Championship to the European Volleyball Championship. At the same time, the arena’s adaptability ensures year-round use, supports the local economy and brings new visitors and services into the city centre.

The technical design of the arena responds to the demands of a large-scale venue that accommodates both sporting and cultural programmes, while remaining accessible to the public on an everyday basis. From the outset, the complexity of the project therefore required close collaboration between architects, engineers, product and graphic designers, landscape architects, artists and craftspeople.

The result is a venue designed around flexibility and multifunctionality, allowing it to accommodate a wide range of uses. The standard capacity for sporting events is 5,650 spectators, while the concert configuration, enabled by adjustable stands, allows the capacity to increase to around 7,400 visitors. For smaller events, the upper tier of seating can be separated by a curtain.

The arena’s energy efficiency and environmental responsibility are based on a combination of technical and landscape-based measures. Waste heat generated by cooling the ice surface is recovered and reused within the building systems, reducing energy losses. The façade, composed of triangular perforated aluminium panels, allows daylight to enter the building while supporting natural ventilation, which helps stabilise the indoor climate. The building’s thermal performance is further enhanced by a green roof, which slows rainwater runoff while supporting urban biodiversity.

This technical precision is carried through to the arena’s architectural details. The bespoke stadium seats were designed in collaboration with David Karásek and the company Kovostal. Their form reinforces the visual unity of the auditorium while contributing to the acoustic performance of the entire venue. Triangular luminaires made of hand-cast glass are integrated into the concrete walls, while large-scale light installations placed throughout the interior translate regional and Dukla club-related motifs into the technical and artistic language of the building.

The identity of the arena is defined by a red colour scheme that connects the exterior with the interior, the pigmented precast concrete of the stands and other internal surfaces. Around the full perimeter of the building, the glazed ground floor opens the arena towards its surroundings and strengthens its public character.