The Warriors have selected AECOM and Norway-based Snohetta to design the club's new $500M arena on the S.F. waterfront. AECOM, formerly Ellerbe Becket, designed Barclays Center and is developing upgrades to New Orleans Arena for the Hornets. Snohetta, the Warriors’ lead architect, designed two civic landmarks internationally, the Oslo Opera House in Norway and the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt. The NBA team, under owners Peter Guber and Joe Lacob, has committed to privately finance construction of an arena proposed for Piers 30-32 on S.F. Bay, south of the Bay Bridge, between the Ferry Building and AT&T Park (Don Muret, SportsBusiness Journal). In S.F., John King wrote the firms were “chosen independently and have yet to begin work on the arena project, which also includes 2.3 acres on the inland side of the Embarcadero.” Snohetta co-Founder Craig Dykers said that he “hopes an initial design will be ready for release within the next two months or so.” King wrote the selection of Snohetta “sends a signal that Warriors owners see the need for architectural creativity at a site that is as visible -- and problematic -- as any in the region.” The team also is “taking a chance on a firm that has made its mark with work in the public and cultural sectors, rather than for private developers” (SFGATE.com, 8/26).
